JP2001223827A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the power consumption in power saving operation and use an inexpensive semiconductor DAA to reduce the cost with respect to facsimile equipment having a power saving function. SOLUTION: A telephone line and a DSP 108 are connected, and a semiconductor DAA 120 is used, which performs digital I/F, A/D and D/A conversion for modulation and demodulation, and network control. At the time of power saving operation, connection of digital I/F of the semiconductor DAA 120 is switched from the DSP to a power saving operation control part 111, and the operation of the DSP 108 is stopped or suppressed. At the time of power saving operation, a signal from the semiconductor DAA 120 is monitored not by the modem DSP but by the power saving operation control part 111.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an energy saving function capable of reducing power consumption in a standby state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus, it is strongly required to reduce the power consumption in consideration of the environment. In particular, in a standby state where there is no operation by the operator and only waiting for an incoming call from the line, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed by suppressing circuit operations other than the operator operation and the function of monitoring incoming calls from the line. Done.

In particular, a digital signal processor (hereinafter, referred to as a DSP) of a modem that performs modulation and demodulation processes performs high-speed signal processing, so that power consumption during its operation is not small. For example, power supply to the modem is not performed, or a transition to low power consumption operation is performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus having an energy saving function. In FIG.
The facsimile apparatus includes a CPU 401 and a program ROM.
(PROGROM) 402, data RAM (DATAR)
AM) 403, operation unit 404, reading unit 405, writing unit 406, compression / decompression unit 407, modem digital signal processing device (modem DSP) 408, modem analog front end (modem AFE) 409, I / O port 4
10, a power saving operation control unit 411, a binarizing circuit 412, a monitor speaker driving circuit 413, and a data access device (DA) for interfacing between a telephone line and a modem.
A) It is composed of 420.

[0005] In FIG. 4, a DAA 420 serves as an interface (I / F) between a telephone line and a facsimile machine, and is connected to the telephone line. In DAA420,
A network control function such as detection of an incoming call from a line and processing for making a call to a telephone line, and an analog signal transmitted to and received from the telephone line are transmitted to the modem 40.
9, 408 and the IO port 410 are connected and isolated. DAA for this
Is connected to both the modem and the IO port.

The DAA 420 insulates a primary circuit connected to a telephone line, a secondary circuit connected to a modem, a photocoupler relay and the like, a high impedance termination, and a primary side and a secondary side. It consists of an isolation transformer for transmitting and receiving signals.

When the facsimile machine shifts to the power saving operation, the CPU 401 instructs the power saving operation control unit 411 to supply power to circuits that do not need power supply during the power saving operation including the modem DSP 408 and the modem AFE 409. To reduce the power consumption of the entire facsimile machine.
At this time, the IO port 410 and the operation unit 404 to which signals required by the power saving operation control unit 411 are connected continue operating with the minimum power.

When an incoming call is received from a telephone line in the power saving operation state, the DAA 420 directly connects the I
An incoming signal is supplied to the O port 410 and the IO port 41
0, the power saving control unit 411 detects and confirms the incoming call. In response to the incoming call confirmation of the power saving control unit 411, the CPU
An interrupt is generated for the facsimile machine 401, and the CPU 401 returns the entire facsimile apparatus to normal operation.

As a function unique to a facsimile for Japan, there is a call detection by a 1300 Hz tone signal from a facsimile communication network (F network). The 1300 Hz tone signal is transmitted at a level substantially equal to the level of the signal to be transmitted, unlike a normal ring signal having a large amplitude. When the 1300 Hz tone signal is detected by simple means, erroneous detection is often performed.

For example, most of the tone detection functions of a modem are based on a narrow band filter, but this method may cause erroneous detection when noise including a 1300 Hz component is superimposed on a line. Cheap. Therefore, when a modem is used, in the example of FIG. 4, the CPU 401 performs the redundancy processing, and determines that the detection is performed only when the 1300 Hz signal is continuously detected for a certain period of time.

In a facsimile, when a line is not closed (not terminated), signals on the line are constantly monitored by a high impedance transformer.
A 0 Hz tone signal is detected. However, since various noises are superimposed on the signal on the unterminated line, like the frequency counter of the IO port 410,
The detection at 1300 Hz was performed by means other than the modem.

In the facsimile apparatus configured as described above, the DAA 420 serving as an interface (I / F) between the telephone line and the facsimile apparatus is an essential component, but insulates the primary side from the secondary side. In order to transmit and receive signals, a relatively large-sized insulating transformer is required, which has been one of the factors that hinders downsizing of the facsimile apparatus.

With the spread of data communication such as the Internet and digital mobile phones, communication devices such as portable terminals and small terminals have been reduced in size. And, like a facsimile machine, a communication device connected to a public telephone line requires a relatively large transformer for connection to the line. However, recently, semiconductor technology and isolation technology have been advanced, and devices in which the function of a conventional transformer is substituted by a semiconductor element or the like have appeared and are becoming widespread. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-98038, a DAA is constituted by an integrated analog circuit and a pulse transformer which is much smaller than a conventional transformer, instead of a conventional large transformer. As another example, there is a technology in which a similar function is realized by an isolation technique using a capacitor and a semiconductor instead of a pulse transformer (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-1).
16642).

In the DAA using these semiconductor elements, further cost reduction is expected in the future due to the progress of the semiconductor device process, and furthermore, the number of parts for realizing the function, the area of the substrate, etc. Even when the present invention is applied to a communication device that is not a portable terminal as described above, the cost of the device can be reduced.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus using a DAA composed of these semiconductor elements. In FIG. 5, the facsimile apparatus includes a CPU 501 and a PR
OGAM ROM 402, DATE RAM 403, operation unit 404, modem DSP 508, power saving operation control unit 5
11 and a semiconductor DAA 520 for interfacing between the telephone line and the modem DSP 508.

The DAA 520 includes a primary circuit connected to a telephone line and a secondary circuit. The primary circuit is provided with a network control and monitoring circuit, and the secondary circuit is provided with a modem A.
An FE is provided, and the function of the conventional transformer is replaced by a semiconductor element or the like. Semiconductor D shown here
In a typical example of AA, the connection to the device side is a modem DSP.
Are connected only through the digital I / F. This digital I / F is, for example, a serial I / F used for general-purpose CODEC. Analog / modulation signal
Along with the digital signal of the AFE that performs digital conversion and digital / analog conversion, a signal of a network control instruction and network monitoring state carried by the conventional DAA is transmitted and received via this serial I / F. In the modem DSP, a function of transferring a signal of a network control instruction / network monitoring state to the CPU is added to the original modulation / demodulation data processing. The DSP 508 uses a CPU bus as a means for transmitting and receiving a network control instruction / network monitoring state signal to / from the CPU 501.

[0017]

In the example of FIG. 5, as apparent from comparison with FIG. 4, when the modem DSP 508 is not operating, the network monitoring signal cannot be transferred to the CPU 501. Therefore, it is not possible to detect an incoming call from the telephone line, and it is necessary to operate the modem DSP 508 even during the power saving operation.

As described above, when a modem using the semiconductor DAA 520 is used for facsimile, an incoming call from the outside is notified via the modem DSP and the digital I / F. There is a problem that the power consumption of the facsimile apparatus becomes larger than in the case of using the conventional DAA.

Further, in the semiconductor DAA 520, it is customary to detect a signal on a line with a high impedance without closing the line by setting the semiconductor DAA 520. However, when the facsimile apparatus is equipped with the semiconductor DAA 520 as shown in FIG. 5 and performs a power saving operation, the operation of the CPU is suppressed or restricted even if the modem DSP 508 is operated normally. Means for avoiding erroneous detection of a 1300 Hz tone signal as described with reference to FIG. 5 is extremely limited. With such a configuration, if an erroneous detection of the 1300 Hz tone detection signal occurs during the power saving operation, the facsimile machine responds, so that the power saving operation is interrupted and power is effectively suppressed. I can't do things. As described above, the problem caused by the erroneous detection of the tone signal is remarkable in the erroneous detection of the signal of 1300 Hz. However, it is desirable that the tone signal of another frequency used in the facsimile communication has a low possibility of the erroneous detection. Needless to say.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost facsimile equipped with an inexpensive semiconductor DAA while suppressing power consumption during power saving operation.

Further, by reducing erroneous detection of an incoming call detection tone signal, power consumption during power saving operation of the apparatus is suppressed.
An object is to provide a low-cost facsimile employing an inexpensive semiconductor DAA.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor DAA having an optimal configuration for detecting a tone signal for incoming call detection, and to reduce the cost of a facsimile apparatus including low power operation.

[0023]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus in which a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as a DSP) for modulating and demodulating a transmission signal and a reception signal is connected to a telephone line and the DSP. A digital interface connected to the DSP, analog / digital conversion and digital / analog for modulation / demodulation,
And a semiconductor data access device (hereinafter, referred to as a semiconductor DAA) for controlling the network, a host CPU for controlling the entire facsimile device, and a power saving control unit for controlling a power saving operation of the facsimile device. During the power operation, the connection of the digital interface of the semiconductor DAA is switched from the DSP to the power saving control unit, and the operation of the DSP is stopped or suppressed.

In the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, the signal from the semiconductor DAA is monitored by the power saving operation control unit instead of the modem DSP during the power saving operation, so that the power of the modem DSP can be suppressed during the power saving operation. The cost of the facsimile apparatus can be reduced by using an inexpensive semiconductor DAA.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus for combining a DSP for modulating and demodulating a transmission signal and a reception signal with a telephone line and the DSP.
A semiconductor DAA having digital interface means connected to the analog / digital converter and digital / analog converter for modulation / demodulation, a network control mechanism, and an analog output terminal for monitoring a communication signal; It has a comparator for binarizing the analog output, a frequency counter for detecting the frequency of the signal binarized by the comparator, a power saving control unit for controlling the power saving operation of the facsimile, and controls the entire facsimile apparatus. And a host CPU, and performs incoming call detection control of a communication network without using a DSP for modulation and demodulation during power saving operation.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, since the tone is detected by using the analog signal output for line monitoring, even if the operation of the modem DSP is suppressed during the low power operation, the tone detection without erroneous detection is performed. In particular, it is possible to detect an incoming call at 1300 Hz in a facsimile communication network, and to reduce the cost of a facsimile apparatus using an inexpensive semiconductor DAA.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus for combining a DSP for modulating and demodulating a transmission signal and a reception signal with a telephone line and the DSP.
Digital interface means connected to the analog / digital converter and digital / analog converter for modulation / demodulation, network control mechanism, analog output terminal for monitoring communication signals, analog signal for monitoring communication signals are predetermined. It has a semiconductor DAA having a digital output terminal for binarizing and outputting at a given threshold value, and a frequency counter for detecting the frequency of the binarized signal from the digital output terminal, and controls the power saving operation of the facsimile. It has a power-saving control unit and a host CPU that controls the entire facsimile machine, and performs incoming-call detection control of a communication network without using a DSP for modulation and demodulation during a power-saving operation.

The facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect has the same effect as the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect,
Furthermore, since a digital output terminal for monitoring a communication signal is also included in the semiconductor DAA, it is possible to obtain a configuration optimal for detecting an incoming call at 1300 Hz in a facsimile communication network.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which uses a semiconductor DAA and has an energy saving function.

In FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus has a CP
U101, PROGROM102, DATERAM10
3, operation unit 104, modem DSP 108, power saving operation control unit 111, semiconductor DAA 120 for interfacing between the telephone line and modem DSP 108, and semiconductor D
It comprises a switching unit 130 for switching the connection between the AA 120 and the modem DSP 108 to the power saving operation control unit 111 side. Note that a reading unit, a writing unit, a compression / expansion unit, and the like are not shown.

The semiconductor DAA 120 detects the incoming call from the telephone line, performs a network control function such as a call processing to the telephone line, and converts the analog signal transmitted / received to / from the telephone line to the modem DS as in the conventional case.
It has two functions of being isolated and connected to P108. For this purpose, the semiconductor DAA 120 includes a network control monitoring circuit 122 in the primary circuit 121 and a modem AFE 109 in the secondary circuit 123. Although not shown, the modem AFE 109 has an A / D converter for modulation / demodulation, a D / A converter, and a modem DS.
A digital interface (digital I / F) for connection with P108 is provided. The isolation between the primary side circuit 121 and the secondary side circuit 123 is not an insulating transformer as in the related art, but an integrated analog circuit and an extremely small pulse transformer, or a capacitor and a semiconductor. Those that realize similar functions are used.

Now, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the semiconductor DA
A120 is connected to the modem DSP 108 by the changeover switch 130 in a normal state.
A transmission signal and a reception signal are transmitted and received using the ODECI / F serial signal.

When the facsimile apparatus shifts to the power saving mode, the CPU 101 instructs the power saving operation control unit 111 to stop power supply to circuits that do not require power supply during the power saving operation including the modem DSP 108. The power consumption of the entire facsimile machine is reduced. At this time, the operation unit 104 to which a signal required by the power saving operation control unit 111 is connected.
Etc. continue to operate with minimal power. At this time,
The power saving operation control unit 111 generates a CODEC I / F switching control signal, switches the changeover switch 130 to the power saving operation control unit 111 side, and controls the CODEC of the semiconductor DAA 120.
The I / F signal is connected to the power saving operation control unit 111.

The power-saving operation control unit 111 has a general-purpose CODE
It has a serial I / F that can receive signals from the CI / F, monitors the network monitoring status from the semiconductor DAA 120,
When an incoming call is detected, an interrupt is generated for the CPU 101, and the CPU 101 returns the entire facsimile apparatus from the power saving state to the normal operation.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the CODECI from the semiconductor DAA 120 is operated during the power saving operation.
Since the / F serial signal is monitored not by the modem DSP 108 but by the power saving operation control unit 111, the power of the modem DSP 108 can be suppressed during the power saving operation, and the cost of the facsimile apparatus can be reduced by using an inexpensive semiconductor DAA. Let it.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which uses a semiconductor DAA and has an energy saving function as in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus has a CP
U201, PROGROM202, DATERAM20
3, an operation unit 204, a modem DSP 208, a power saving operation control unit 211 having a frequency counter 211a, a semiconductor DAA 220 for interfacing between a telephone line and the modem DSP 208, and a binary analog signal output from the semiconductor DAA 220 for monitoring. And a binarizing circuit 212 for supplying a binarized digital signal to the frequency counter 211a, and a monitor speaker driving circuit 213. Note that a reading unit, a writing unit, a compression / expansion unit, and the like are not shown.

The semiconductor DAA 220 is the semiconductor DAA of FIG.
As in the case of A120, the primary side circuit 221 has a network control / monitoring circuit 222, and the secondary side circuit 223 has a modem A.
An FE 109, a monitor circuit 224, and an analog output terminal for outputting an analog output of the monitor circuit are provided. Although not shown, the modem AFE 209 has an A / D converter, a D / A converter, and a modem D for modulation and demodulation.
A digital I / F for connection with the SP 208 is provided. Then, the primary side circuit 221 and the secondary side circuit 22
The isolation with the 3 is not an isolation transformer as in the past, but rather an integrated analog circuit and an extremely small pulse transformer, or a capacitor and semiconductor that realize the same function. I have.

The monitoring circuit 224 of the semiconductor DAA 120
Usually, an analog signal is output to the secondary circuit 223 in order to check the connection of a line by driving a speaker of the facsimile apparatus with a call signal or the like on the line during the call and driving the speaker of the facsimile apparatus. . In the present embodiment, this analog output is used not only by the speaker drive circuit 213 but also by the binarization circuit 21.
In step 2, a signal having an amplitude exceeding an appropriate threshold value is binarized and supplied to the frequency counter 211a as a digital signal.
The frequency counter 211a monitors the cycle of the binarized digital signal, and determines that the digital signal has been detected only when the cycle of the predetermined range can be continuously detected a predetermined number of times.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in the normal operation state, the power is also normally supplied to the modem DSP 108, the modem DSP 108 is connected to the semiconductor DAA 120, and the two are connected using the CODECI / F serial signal. A transmission signal and a reception signal are exchanged.

When the facsimile apparatus shifts to the power saving mode, the CPU 201 instructs the power saving operation control section 211 to stop power supply to circuits that do not need power supply during the power saving operation including the modem DSP 208, The power consumption of the entire facsimile machine is reduced. At this time, the operation unit 204 to which signals required by the power saving operation control unit 211 are connected
Etc. continue to operate with minimal power.

In the power saving operation, when an incoming call is detected by a 1300 Hz tone signal from the facsimile communication network, the signal is transmitted from the primary circuit 221 of the semiconductor DAA 220 to the secondary circuit 223 in the form of an analog signal. You.
The 1300 Hz tone signal is extracted by the monitor circuit 224 and output from the analog signal output terminal of the secondary circuit 223. 1 from this analog signal output terminal
The 300 Hz tone signal is binarized by a binarization circuit 212 into a signal having an amplitude exceeding an appropriate threshold value and input to the frequency counter 211a as a digital signal. The frequency counter 211a has a cycle value for detection and determination and the number of times to be determined as detection set in advance. The frequency counter 211a monitors the cycle of the binarized digital signal. Only when a predetermined number of consecutive detections have been made, the detection is determined, an interrupt is issued to the CPU 201 as an incoming call detection from the facsimile network, and the CPU 201 returns the entire facsimile apparatus to normal operation.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the analog signal output for line monitoring provided in the semiconductor DAA 220 is used, the signal is digitally processed, and the tone signal is detected. Even if the operation of the modem DSP 208 is suppressed during the power saving operation, tone detection without erroneous detection, especially 1300 of the facsimile communication network
Hz can be detected, and the cost of the facsimile apparatus can be reduced by using an inexpensive semiconductor DAA.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is different from FIG. 2 only in the semiconductor DAA 320, and the other configurations are the same. The components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the semiconductor DAA 320, the binarization circuit 212 is incorporated in the secondary side circuit 323.
As a result, the 130 extracted by the monitor circuit 224
The 0 Hz tone signal is binarized by a binarization circuit 212 into a signal having an amplitude exceeding an appropriate threshold value, and the semiconductor DAA 32
0 is output as a digital signal from the digital signal output terminal. The other operations are the same as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

According to the third embodiment, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained, and further, the semiconductor DAA 320 is connected to a binarizing circuit 212 for monitoring a tone signal, and a digital output terminal. The facsimile communication network 1300
Hz can be optimally configured.

[0047]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, the signal from the semiconductor DAA is monitored by the power saving operation control unit instead of the modem DSP during the power saving operation, so that the power of the modem DSP is suppressed during the power saving operation. And the cost of the facsimile apparatus can be reduced by using an inexpensive semiconductor DAA.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, since the tone is detected by using the analog signal output for line monitoring, even if the operation of the modem DSP is suppressed during the low power operation, the tone detection without erroneous detection is performed. In particular, it is possible to detect an incoming call at 1300 Hz in a facsimile communication network, and to reduce the cost of a facsimile apparatus using an inexpensive semiconductor DAA.

The facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect has the same effect as the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect,
Furthermore, since a digital output terminal for monitoring a communication signal is also included in the semiconductor DAA, it is possible to obtain a configuration optimal for detecting an incoming call at 1300 Hz in a facsimile communication network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus having an energy saving function.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus using a conventional semiconductor DAA.

[Explanation of symbols]

 108, 208 Modem DSP 111, 211 Power saving operation control section 212 Binarization circuit 120, 220, 320 Semiconductor DAA 122, 222 Network control monitoring circuit 109, 209 Modem AFE 224 Monitoring circuit 130 Switching circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A digital signal processor (hereinafter, referred to as DSP) for modulating and demodulating a transmission signal and a reception signal, a telephone interface and the DSP being connected, a digital interface connected to the DSP, and a modem for modulation and demodulation. Semiconductor data access device (hereinafter referred to as semiconductor DAA) for performing analog / digital conversion and digital / analog and network control of the same, a host CPU for controlling the entire facsimile device, and power saving control for controlling the power saving operation of the facsimile device A facsimile device during power saving operation,
A facsimile apparatus wherein the connection of the digital interface A is switched from the DSP to the power saving control unit, and the operation of the DSP is stopped or suppressed. 2. A DSP for modulating and demodulating a transmission signal and a reception signal.
Digital interface means for connecting a telephone line and the DSP, the digital interface means being connected to the DSP;
An analog / digital converter and a digital / analog converter for modulation and demodulation, a network control mechanism, a semiconductor DAA having an analog output terminal for monitoring a communication signal, and a comparator for binarizing the analog output of the analog output terminal Having a frequency counter for detecting the frequency of the signal binarized by the comparator, a power saving control unit for controlling the power saving operation of the facsimile, and a host CPU for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus, A facsimile apparatus which performs incoming call detection control of a communication network without using a DSP for modulation and demodulation during power saving operation. 3. A DSP for modulating and demodulating a transmission signal and a reception signal.
Digital interface means for connecting a telephone line and the DSP, the digital interface means being connected to the DSP;
Analog / digital converter and digital / analog converter for modulation / demodulation, network control mechanism, analog output terminal for monitoring communication signal, binarization of analog signal for monitoring communication signal with predetermined threshold A semiconductor DAA having a digital output terminal for outputting, a power saving control unit having a frequency counter for detecting a frequency of a binarized signal from the digital output terminal, and controlling a power saving operation of the facsimile; and a facsimile apparatus. A facsimile apparatus having a host CPU for performing overall control and performing incoming call detection control of a communication network without using a DSP for modulation and demodulation during a power saving operation.