JP2002223310A - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal device capable of suppressing power consumption. SOLUTION: The function of an option board can be made effective when a twist pair cable 9 is connected to a facsimile terminal 1 through a hub 5 to which a power adapter 10 is connected. Meanwhile, when the twist pair cable 9 is not connected, the function of the option board can be made ineffective. In other words, operation modes are selected in accordance with a power supply state to the option board. Namely, when the power is fed (online mode), Internet FAX transmission and network scanner, processing can be carried out. On the other hand, when the power is not fed (office mode), normal G3FAX transmission and copying can be carried out. For this reason, the operation modes are selected in accordance with the state of the power supply to the option board. Then, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the facimile terminal 1 in accordance with the operation modes.

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 represented by a facsimile device, and more particularly to a communication terminal device having an option board for connecting to a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in offices and the like, communication systems in which personal computers, facsimile machines, printers, and the like are connected via a communication network are being constructed. In such a communication system, an option board for connecting to a communication network is required. For example, when the option board is mounted on the facsimile machine, power is supplied from the facsimile machine to the option board.

[0003]

However, in such a configuration in which power is supplied from the facsimile apparatus to the option board, power from the facsimile apparatus is consumed by the option board even when the option board is not operating. Becomes Also, power is consumed similarly when the communication network is not connected to the option board.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal device capable of suppressing power consumption.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a power supply of an option board for connecting to a communication network is a communication terminal device supplied from the communication network. Control means for selecting an operation mode based on a power supply state of the option board.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the operation mode includes an online mode in which a function of an option board operates when power is supplied from a communication network, and a communication mode. This is the offline mode in which the function of the apparatus itself operates even when power is not supplied from the network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the operation modes are a sleep mode for suppressing power consumption and a normal mode in which the own device functions.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network system includes a facsimile apparatus (FA) having a telephone line L1.
X) 1, a gateway (HUB) interconnecting the gateway 2 connected to the Internet via the dedicated line L2, the mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4, and each of the devices 1-4.
5, a transceiver 6, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7, an AUI cable 8, and a twisted pair cable 9.

[0010] The facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3 and personal computer 4 are connected to a hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. Hub 5 is an AUI
It is connected to the transceiver 6 via a cable 8.
The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet cable 7. Facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3, and personal computer 4
Has an interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is provided for connecting the twisted pair cable 9 and the AUI cable 8, and functions as a line concentrator in connection with the communication network T. The transceiver 6 is provided for connecting the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7. A power adapter 10 for supplying power to the option board 30 mounted on the facsimile machine 1 is connected to the hub 5.

The facsimile machine 1 has a mail address as a client of the mail server 3. The gateway 2 includes a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T.
The gateway 2 also has a firewall function for preventing unauthorized intrusion into the communication network T.

The mail server 3 has a communication protocol (SMTP, POP3, etc.) used for electronic mail. When you send the e-mail with the image data attached,
Internet FAX can be realized. The mail server 3 has a mailbox for each client.

A plurality of personal computers 4 includes a control unit for controlling the entire personal computer 4, and an LCD for displaying various information.
And a storage unit such as a keyboard and mouse for inputting predetermined characters and the like, and a hard disk, etc., for instructing various information displayed on the display unit. Further, the plurality of personal computers 4 are connected between the facsimile machine 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and between the facsimile machine 1 or the external facsimile machine via the mail server 3 and the gateway 2, It has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving. The plurality of personal computers 4 have mail addresses as clients of the mail server 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
Are the facsimile machine body 1a and the option board 30
It is composed of The facsimile machine main body 1a
MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18,
It comprises a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and an option board slot unit 22, and each of the units 11 to 22 is connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Temporarily stores various information related to transmission / reception and transfer of the facsimile machine 1.

The reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 on recording paper in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.

An operation unit 16 is a numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 16 for inputting a telephone number or a mail address.
a, a one-touch key for registering abbreviated numbers and e-mail addresses or for abbreviating keys 16b for transmitting from the abbreviated numbers, and for inputting the alphabet of the e-mail address and specifying a pre-registered telephone number, FAX number or e-mail address with one touch 16c, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, a "communication (FA
X) Communication for setting "operation" or "copy" operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
D, etc., of the facsimile apparatus body 1a
Various information such as the operating state of the device is displayed. The display unit 1
Reference numeral 7 includes an LED 17a for displaying whether or not power is supplied to the option board 30.

The image memory 18 is read by the received image data and the reading unit 14 and is binarized.
The image data encoded according to the R system is temporarily stored. The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the option board slot unit 22.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 modulates and demodulates a facsimile transmission control procedure signal and image data. NCU21
Has a function of closing and opening the telephone line L1, detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like.

The option board slot section 22 has an option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T.
0 is equipped. That is, the option board 30
Is provided in the option board slot section 22, the connection to the communication network T becomes possible.

As shown in FIG.
Is composed of an MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image memory 34, a data conversion unit 35, a PC card interface 36, a PC card type memory 37, a communication protocol control unit 38, and a network interface 39. Are connected via a bus 40.

The MPU 31 controls each component of the option board 30. The ROM 32 stores a program for controlling the option board 30. RAM
33 temporarily stores various information related to the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data conversion unit 35 includes the TIFF and BM transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the communication network T.
Image data such as P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. can be stored in MH, MR, MMR format, TIFF-MH, TIF
The image data is converted into image data of F-MR, TIFF-MMR or the like. Conversely, the MH, MR, MMR system, TIFF-MH, TIFF-
In order to convert image data such as MR, TIFF-MMR, etc. into a format that can be easily handled by a plurality of personal computers 4, a TIF
The image data is converted into image data such as F, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, and DCX.

The PC card interface 36 is
The PC card type memory 37 is accessed via the PC card adapter 36a based on the control signal from the PU 31. The PC card type memory 37 is "PC Card Standard"
, And is constituted by, for example, a flash memory (EEPROM). The PC card type memory 37 has a data area 37a for each client, and stores image data transferred from the image memory 18 and data related to transmission / reception via the option board 30.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39,
9 and a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T via the public line network or the like. Specifically, for example, it includes SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), and a salutation communication protocol specified by the Salutation Consortium.

Next, the configuration of the connector in the hub 5 will be described. As shown in FIG.
In the connector for ASE-T, pin numbers 4, 5,
7, 8 are N.I. C. (Non-connect). Therefore,
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Is used as Vcc, and pin number 8 is used as GND. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the Vcc of the power adapter 10 is connected to the pin number 4 of the connector for the facsimile device 1, and the GND of the power adapter 10 is connected to the pin number 8 of the connector for the facsimile device 1, respectively. As a result, power can be supplied from the power adapter 10 to the option board 30 via the hub 5 and the twisted pair cable 9.

Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which the facsimile machine body 1a determines whether or not power is supplied to the option board 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
The option board slot section 22 and the option board 30 are provided with connection terminals for a power signal VS indicating that power is supplied from the power adapter 10 via the hub 5 and the twisted pair cable 9, respectively. The option board 30 is mounted on the option board slot 22 of the facsimile machine body 1a, and the power adapter 10 is connected to the hub 5 and the twisted pair cable 9.
When power is supplied to the option board 30 via the MPU 31, the MPU 31 sends out a power signal VS indicating that power is supplied. As a result, based on this power signal VS, the MPU 11 of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a determines whether or not power is supplied to the option board 30. Further, based on the power signal VS, the MPU 11 of the facsimile machine main body 1a lights the LED 17a in a color indicating that power has been supplied to the option board 30.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine main body 1a when the operation section 16 is operated will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this operation is performed by the RO
It is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on the program stored in the M12 (hereinafter, the facsimile apparatus body 1
The same applies to the operation of a).

In step S1, it is determined whether or not the operation unit 16 has been operated. If the operation unit 16 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S2. Step S
In 2, it is determined whether the request is for an operation that functions on the option board 30. Option board 30
If it is a request for an operation that functions in step S3, specifically, if the Internet FAX transmission or the reading unit 14 is to be operated as a network scanner, the process proceeds to step S3.
On the other hand, if it is not a request for an operation that functions on the option board 30, specifically, if it is a normal G3 FAX transmission or copy, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not power is supplied to option board 30. Specifically, it is determined whether or not power is supplied to option board 30 based on power supply signal VS indicating that power has been supplied. When the power is supplied to the option board 30, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the power is not supplied to the option board 30, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S4, the aforementioned step S
The respective processes are executed in accordance with the instruction content operated from the operation unit 16 in 1. In step S5, since the instruction content operated from the operation unit 16 in step S1 cannot be executed, the fact is displayed on the display unit 17 and the instruction content operated from the operation unit 16 is rejected. You.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine body 1a when an operation request is made from the option board 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S11, the option board 30
It is determined whether there is an operation request from. That is,
When there is an operation request from the option board 30,
The MPU 31 of the option board 30 sends a signal indicating an operation request to the MPU 11 of the facsimile machine body 1a. As a result, based on this signal, the MPU 11
Determines that there is an operation request from the option board 30. Then, when there is an operation request from the option board 30, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the facsimile machine body 1a is in a sleep state (sleep mode). If it is in the sleep state, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is not in the sleep state, that is, if it is in the normal state (normal mode), the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S13, the facsimile machine main body 1a is started. That is, the facsimile apparatus main body 1a is activated, and shifts from the sleep state to the normal state.

In step S14, each process is executed in response to an operation request from the option board 30 in step S11. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

(1) Vcc of the power adapter 10 is connected to the pin number 4 of the connector for the facsimile machine 1, and GND of the power adapter 10 is connected to pin number 8 of the connector for the facsimile machine 1. The option board 30 of the facsimile machine 1 is connected to a connector of the hub 5 for the facsimile machine 1. For this reason, the power supply of the option board 30 is
From the hub 5 and the twisted pair cable 9. Therefore, power can be supplied from the communication network T to the option board 30 for connecting to the communication network T.

(2) When the twisted pair cable 9 is connected to the facsimile machine 1 via the hub 5 to which the power adapter 10 is connected, the function of the option board 30 can be enabled. On the other hand, when not connected, the function of the option board 30 can be invalidated. In other words, the operation mode (online mode or offline mode) is selected according to the power supply state to the option board 30. That is, when power is supplied to the option board 30 (online mode), Internet FAX transmission and a network scanner can be executed. On the other hand, when the power is not supplied to the option board 30 (offline mode), the Internet FAX transmission and the network scanner cannot be executed.
Normal G3 FAX transmission and copying can be executed. Therefore, the operation mode is selected according to the state of power supply to the option board 30. Therefore, the power consumption of the facsimile machine 1 can be suppressed according to the operation mode. In addition, an executable function can be determined according to a power supply state to the option board 30, that is, a lighting state of the LED 17a. In addition, executable functions can be displayed on the display unit 17 based on the power supply state.

(3) The twisted pair cable 9 is connected to the facsimile machine 1 via the hub 5 to which the power adapter 10 is connected. For this reason, the twisted pair cable 9 can be removed as needed. That is, the twisted pair cable 9 may be connected to the facsimile machine 1 only when the function of the option board 30 is used. Therefore, the power consumption of the facsimile machine 1 can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration in which the facsimile machine body 1a always supplies power to the option board 30.

(4) The power of the option board 30 is supplied from the communication network T. Therefore, power supply from the facsimile machine 1 to the option board 30 is unnecessary. Therefore, the power supply of the facsimile apparatus 1 only needs to secure the power supply to the facsimile apparatus main body 1a only. Therefore, the power supply capacity of the facsimile machine 1 can be reduced.

(5) Based on the operation from the operation unit 16,
When the function of the option board 30 operates, it is determined whether power is supplied to the option board 30 or not. When the power is not supplied to the option board 30, the fact that the instruction contents operated from the operation unit 16 cannot be executed is displayed on the display unit 17, and the instructions operated from the operation unit 16 are displayed. Content rejected. Therefore, it is possible to easily know the reason why the operator from the operation unit 16 does not execute the instruction content. Therefore, when it is desired to operate the function of the option board 30 based on this display, it is only necessary to connect the twisted pair cable 9. Therefore, even when the power is supplied from the communication network T to the option board 30,
There is no room for any problems.

(6) When there is an operation request from the option board 30, it is determined whether or not the facsimile machine main body 1a is in a sleep state. Then, when the facsimile apparatus main body 1a is in the sleep state, the state shifts from the sleep state to the normal state. Therefore, when an operation request is received from the option board 30, the state of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a (sleep state or normal state)
, The processing can be executed. Therefore,
Even if power is supplied from the communication network T to the option board 30, there is no room for any problem.

(7) When the power is supplied to the option board 30, the LED 17a is lit in a color indicating that the power is supplied to the option board 30. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not power is being supplied to the option board 30 based on the lighting color of the LED 17a. Therefore, when the function of the option board 30 is operated, it can be easily determined whether or not the function of the option board 30 can be operated based on the lighting color of the LED 17a.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. In the above-described embodiment, the Vcc of the power adapter 10 is connected to the pin number 4 of the connector for the facsimile machine 1, and the GND of the power adapter 10 is connected to the pin number 8 of the connector for the facsimile apparatus 1. , FIG.
Vcc and GND of the power adapter 10 may be connected to any of the pin numbers 4, 5, 7, and 8 shown in FIG.

In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which a power supply unit for supplying power to the option board 30 is mounted. In this case, when the power supply unit is turned on,
A switch for performing / OFF may be provided on the operation unit 16 or the like. With this configuration, the option board 30
It is only necessary to turn on the power supply unit when operating the function described above.

Further, a communication network interface for connecting to a device other than the facsimile device 1, ie, the gateway 2, the mail server 3, and the communication network T provided in the plurality of personal computers 4,
The power may be supplied from the power adapter 10 via the hub 5 and the twisted pair cable 9.

The configuration in which the facsimile apparatus main body 1a determines whether or not power is supplied to the option board 30 may be as follows. That is, when power is supplied from the power adapter 10 to the option board 30 via the hub 5 and the twisted pair cable 9, the MPU 31 of the option board 30
A flag indicating that power has been supplied to 0 is set in the RAM 13 of the facsimile apparatus body 1a. Based on this flag, the MPU 11 of the facsimile machine main body 1a determines whether or not power is being supplied to the option board 30. Further, based on this flag, the MPU 11 of the facsimile machine main body 1a lights the LED 17a with a color indicating that power has been supplied to the option board 30.

In the above embodiment, the hub is merely a hub, but may be applied to a shared hub, a switching hub, or the like instead. -In the above-mentioned embodiment, 10BASE-T was used, but it may be applied to 1000BASE-T instead.

Further, technical ideas grasped from the above embodiments and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] The communication terminal device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising display means for visually displaying an operation mode. With this configuration, the operator can easily determine the operation mode.

[2] A power supply means for supplying power and a cable constituting a part of the communication network are provided, and the power from the power supply means is connected to the communication network by using a non-connect terminal of the hub. Hub to supply optional boards. With this configuration, power can be supplied from the power supply unit to the option board via the hub and the cable.

[3] A communication network system provided with the hub according to [2]. With this configuration, power can be supplied to the option board via the communication network.

[0052]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, power consumption can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an option board.

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between pin numbers and signal names of a normal 10BASE-T connector. (B) Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the pin number of 10BASE-T connector in this embodiment, and a signal name.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship between a hub and a power adapter.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the facsimile apparatus main body when an operation is performed from the operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile apparatus main body when an operation request is made from the option board.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine, 1a ... Facsimile machine main body,
5 hub, 9 twisted pair cable as cable, 10 power adapter as power supply means, 11
MPU constituting control means, 12 ROM constituting control means, 13 RAM constituting control means, 17 display part as display means, 30 option board.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A communication terminal device in which power of an option board for connecting to a communication network is supplied from the communication network, comprising a control unit for selecting an operation mode based on a power supply state of the option board. Communication terminal device. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode includes an online mode in which the function of the option board operates when power is supplied from the communication network, and a power supply from the communication network. A communication terminal device in an offline mode in which the function of its own device operates even when there is no device. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the operation modes include a sleep mode for suppressing power consumption and a normal mode in which the device functions.