JP2003110788A - Communication device, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device which can comfortably read information acquired from a server in the communication device having a master unit and a slave unit. SOLUTION: A facsimile apparatus body (master unit) 20 can retrieve information connected to an L-mode gateway 16. The slave unit 120 commands the master unit 20 to acquire information, and the master unit 20 transmits the acquired image data to the slave unit 120. The slave unit 120 transfers the image data transmitted to the master unit 20 to a television receiver 210, and the receiver 210 displays the information. Thus, the slave unit 20 can remotely operate the display image in the receiver 210.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device, a program and a recording medium, and more particularly, to a communication device such as a telephone and a facsimile and a program for operating a computer system to realize the communication device. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium in which a program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an information service called "L mode" has been provided by NTT. This L mode is L
This is a service that allows you to use a menu operation from a communication device (such as a telephone or a facsimile) that supports modes to retrieve information centered on letters and simple images and to send and receive e-mail, just as you would with a telephone. Note that information retrieval in L mode and transmission / reception of electronic mail are performed via an L mode gateway installed by NTT.

[0003]

However, the information retrieval in the L mode is performed by operating the button of the L-mode compatible communication device (telephone or facsimile). Since telephones and facsimiles have conventionally been used only for inputting telephone numbers, they are not placed at locations where it is easy to operate buttons in each home, and operability is extremely poor depending on the location. In addition, the display attached to a telephone or a facsimile is small, the display screen for information retrieval is difficult to see, and there is also the problem that an expensive color liquid crystal must be prepared for color display.

On the other hand, when an electronic mail is received, the L-mode telephone and the facsimile display a mail reception pictogram indicating the arrival of the electronic mail on the display. But,
There is a problem that the user does not have a chance to see this display unless there is a particular occasion such as making a phone call or sending a facsimile, and the notification of the incoming e-mail is delayed or cannot be notified at all.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and has the following objects. (1) To provide a communication device including a master unit and a slave unit that can comfortably browse information acquired from a server. (2) To provide a communication device capable of reliably notifying the arrival of an electronic mail. (3) A program for causing a computer system to function so as to realize the communication device according to the above (1) or (2) is provided. (4) To provide a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer system to function to realize the communication device of (1) or (2) is recorded.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A communication device according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, is a master device capable of acquiring data provided from a server via a communication line. , A communication device composed of the parent device and a child device wirelessly connected as necessary, wherein the child device requests the parent device to acquire data from the server and send the data. And a transmission unit for transmitting the data acquired by the master unit based on the request from the data request unit on the slave unit side to the television receiver. The technical feature is that the John receiver can be operated remotely.

In the communication device according to the first aspect, the slave unit requests the master unit to acquire and send the data from the server, and the master unit directly or directly acquires the data acquired based on the request from the slave unit side. Transfer to the television receiver via the child device. Since the TV receiver can be remotely controlled by the child device, it is possible to operate the child device at any place, and it is easier to perform the information search operation than when operating the parent device where the location is not good. . Further, since the information obtained from the server via the parent device is displayed on the television receiver, it is possible to browse the search information comfortably on a large screen and in color.

In the communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the master unit is provided with the signal converting means for converting the acquired data into a television signal, the general-purpose television receiver is used to search information by remote operation of the slave unit. Can be displayed.

In the communication apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the slave unit is provided with the signal converting means for converting the acquired data into the television signal, the search information can be obtained by the remote control of the slave unit by the general-purpose television receiver. Can be displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device capable of receiving an electronic mail, wherein the receiving device is a mail receiving / storing means for storing that the electronic mail is received, and a television receiver receives the electronic mail. And a mail receiving and displaying means for displaying the.

According to another aspect of the communication apparatus, the fact that the communication apparatus receives the electronic mail is stored, and the reception of the electronic mail is displayed on the television receiver. Eliminates the need to send a confirmation email to the communication device
A television receiver can be used to reliably notify the arrival of electronic mail.

A communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a communication device capable of receiving electronic mail, and stores communication means capable of two-way communication with a television receiver, and storing reception of electronic mail. For receiving mail from the television receiver, and mail display instruction means for sending an instruction to display reception of an electronic mail by the television receiver based on the reception storage in the mail reception storage means The reception notification determination means for determining whether or not the notification that the instruction has been received has been received, and the reception notification determination means,
Until the notification that the television receiver has received the instruction to receive the mail, the mail display instruction means repeatedly sends the instruction to display the reception of the electronic mail on the television receiver by the mail display instruction means. The technical feature is to have.

In the communication device according to claim 5, on the communication device side,
The reception of the electronic mail is memorized, and an instruction to display reception of the electronic mail is sent on the television receiver. Then, the television receiver repeatedly sends the instruction to display the reception of the electronic mail until the television receiver receives the notification that the instruction to receive the email has been received. It is not necessary for the communication device to confirm whether or not an electronic mail has arrived, and it is possible to reliably notify the arrival of an electronic mail by using the television receiver.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device capable of receiving an electronic mail, wherein the receiving device stores the reception of the electronic mail, and the television when the electronic mail is received. The electronic device in the television receiver based on the received storage in the mail receiving and storing means when the receiving device determines that the image is being displayed. It is technically characterized in that it comprises a mail reception display means for displaying reception of mail.

According to another aspect of the communication device of the present invention, on the communication device side,
When the e-mail is received, it is determined whether the television receiver is displaying an image when the e-mail is received. When it is determined that the image is being displayed, the television receiver displays an electronic message. Display received mail. Therefore, even if bidirectional communication cannot be performed between the communication device and the television receiver, if the communication device can detect whether the television receiver is displaying an image, the television receiver can be used to reliably receive an email. Can be informed.

Next, a program according to a seventh aspect provides a program for causing a computer system to function as each of the means in the communication device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. That is, claim 1
The functions for realizing the respective units in the communication device according to any one of 1 to 6 can be provided as a program executed by a computer system.

Next, the invention according to claim 8 relates to claim 1.
7. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer system to function as each of the means in the communication device according to any one of items 1 to 6 is recorded. In the case of such a program, for example, the ROM or the backup RAM may be recorded as a computer-readable recording medium, and the ROM or the backup RAM may be incorporated into a computer system for use. In addition, semiconductor memory (smart media, memory stick, etc.), hard disk, floppy disk, data card (IC card, magnetic card, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DV)
D, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), phase change disk, magnetic tape, or other such computer-readable recording medium, and the program is loaded into the computer system as needed and activated. You may use it by doing.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 10 in the L mode provided by NTT. The communication system 10 in the L mode includes various communication devices 11 compatible with the L mode, the Internet network 12, and the Internet network 12.
It is composed of various communication devices 13 connected to each other, a communication device 14 of an information provider, a public telephone line 15, an L mode gateway 16, and the like.

The various L-mode compatible communication devices 11 include, for example, L-mode compatible telephones, facsimiles, and IC card public telephones. Various communication devices 1 connected to the Internet network 12 via a WWW server (not shown)
3 includes, for example, a personal computer and a mobile phone. An information provider (for example, a weather forecast provider (Japan Meteorological Association, etc.), a bank, a securities company, a newspaper company, which provides various information (information useful for daily life, information closely related to the area) using the communication device 14. (Distributor etc.) is NT
It is registered in the L menu list provided by T company.

The respective communication devices 11, 13, 14 and the Internet network 12 are connected via the public telephone line 15 to NTT.
It is connected to the L-mode gateway 16 (GW) installed by the company. Then, the various L-mode compatible communication devices 11 have a first route (public telephone line 15 → L-mode gateway 16 → public telephone line 15) or a second route (public telephone line 15 → L-mode gateway 16 → public telephone line 15). → Internet network 12 → Public telephone line 15) It is possible to send and receive various information and electronic mail with the communication device 14 of the information provider. Also, the various L-mode compatible communication devices 11 can send and receive various information and electronic mails to and from the various communication devices 13 connected to the Internet network 12 through the second path. The L-mode gateway 16 is actually provided in each of NTT West Japan and NTT East Japan and connected to each other.

FIG. 2 shows various communication devices 11 compatible with the L mode.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an appearance of a main body 20 of an L-mode compatible facsimile which is an example. The main body 20 of the L-mode compatible facsimile is provided with a display 21 and a large number of buttons (keys) 22. A handset (not shown) is connected to the main body 20, and a cordless phone using the main body 20 as a base unit will be described later. A slave unit (see FIG. 4) is provided separately. The display 21 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. The display 21 has L
A pictogram indicating that the line between the mode gateway 16 and the main unit 20 is being connected, a message text indicating that the line connection has been disconnected (for example, "disconnected"), a preset standby screen, etc. are displayed. To be done.

Each button constituting the buttons 22 includes a ten-key pad constituting a dial button and various operations (for example,
Various function buttons to set / cancel answering machine, speaker playback, hold or switch to handset, e-mail button 22a used for operations related to e-mail, and operations related to L mode There are an L button 22b used, a cursor movement button (scroll button) 22c for moving a cursor (not shown) displayed on the display 21 up, down, left and right.

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing the electrical construction of the main body 20 of the L-mode compatible facsimile. The main body 20 of the L mode compatible facsimile includes a display unit 21, buttons 22, a panel GA (Gate Array) 41, a motor 4
2, thermal head 43, scanner 44, sensors 4
5, AFE (Analog Front End) 46, Melody IC
(Integrated Circuit) 47, speaker 48, RTC
(Real Time Clock) 49, ROM 50, RAM 51,
EEPROM 52, high frequency for mobile devices (RF: Radio Freque
ncy) unit 53, cross point switch 54, handset 55, NCU 56, CPU 57, recording circuit 5
8, a reading circuit 59, a FAX / data modem 60, etc. are provided.

The CPU 57 controls the overall operation of the L-mode compatible facsimile including the main body 20 as a master and the slave. The CPU 57 includes a recording circuit 58 and a reading circuit 5
9, panel GA41, FAX / data modem 60, AF
E46, RTC49, ROM50, RAM51, EEP
The ROM 52 and the handset RF unit 53 are connected. The CPU 57, recording circuit 58, reading circuit 59, F
The AX / data modem 60 is composed of a 1-chip IC 61, and the 1-chip IC 61 is called a 1-chip FAX engine.

The recording circuit 58 controls the operation of the motor 42 and the thermal head 43 which compose the printer according to the control processing of the CPU 57. The motor 42 is moved to supply and discharge the printing paper to the main body 20 of the L-mode compatible facsimile. The thermal head 43 prints on printing paper made of thermal paper. An ink jet head or a laser engine may be used instead of the thermal head 43. The reading circuit 59 is the CPU 5
According to the control of 7, the operation of the scanner 44 is controlled. The scanner 44 reads a character or an image printed on a document and outputs the data of the character or the image to the reading circuit 59. The sensors 45 are composed of various sensors provided in the main body 20, such as a printing paper detection sensor that detects that a printing paper is set and a handset detection sensor that detects that the handset 55 is set. . The panel GA41 includes buttons 22 and a display 2
1 and the CPU 57 function as an interface for mediating a data signal.

The FAX / data modem 60 performs modulation / demodulation of facsimile transmission / reception data, and modulation / demodulation of various information in the L mode and transmission / reception data of electronic mail. The AFE 46 performs sampling and conversion of data signals between the melody IC 47, the cross point switch 54, the CPU 57 and the FAX / data modem 60. The melody IC 47 generates a telephone ringing melody according to the control process of the CPU 57, and the speaker 4
8 is driven to make the ringing tone melody sound.

The RTC 49 measures the current time and date and outputs the data to the CPU 57. RO
The M50 stores various control programs and non-recommended addresses for the CPU 57 to execute various controls. Here, the deprecated address is an email address that a third party can easily come up with.
This data consists of names, which are often found in telephone directories such as TARO. The RAM 51 provides a work area for the CPU 57 and a development area for various data. The EEPROM 52 stores a telephone number of a transmission destination of a telephone or a facsimile, a transmission destination of an electronic mail, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of various communication devices 13 and 14 connected to the Internet network 12, and the like.

The slave unit RF unit 53 wirelessly transmits / receives a data signal between the CPU 57 and the slave unit in order to connect the slave unit of the cordless phone and the main unit 20 which is the master unit through a wireless line. The crosspoint switch 54 switches and mediates data signals transferred between the handset RF unit 53, the NCU 56, the handset 55 including a telephone handset, and the AFE 46. NCU5
Reference numeral 6 is connected to the public telephone line 15 for network control, sends out a dial signal to the public telephone line 15, and responds to a calling signal from the public telephone line 15.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the facsimile subunit 120. The child device 120 is provided with a display 121 made of a small liquid crystal and buttons 122. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the child device 120. The cordless handset 120 includes a display unit 121 and buttons 12
2, panel GA (Gate Array) 141, speaker 17
2, microphone 174, CPU 157, ROM 15
0, a RAM 151, an EEPROM 152, a base unit 20, an RF unit 153 for communicating with the television receiver 210, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a connection relationship among the facsimile apparatus main body (master device) 20, the slave device 120, and the television receiver 210 according to the first embodiment. First
In the embodiment, the facsimile device main body (master device) 20, the slave device 120, and the television receiver 210 are provided indoors, and the facsimile device main body (master device) 20, the slave device 120, and the television receiver 210 are different from each other. It is located in the room. For example, the facsimile apparatus main body 20 is placed on the entrance shoe box, and the television receiver 210 is placed in the living room. Two-way communication can be performed wirelessly between the parent device 20 and the child device 120. Further, the television receiver 120 includes a communication control device 21.
2 is equipped with the RF unit 153 of the child device 120.
It is configured so that bidirectional communication can be performed via the.

The facsimile apparatus main body (master device) 20 is connected to the L-mode gateway 16 via the public telephone line 15 and an exchange (not shown) so that information can be searched for in the L-mode. Then, the child device 120 is wirelessly connected to the parent device 20 and commands acquisition of information in the L mode, and the parent device 20 transmits the image data acquired from the L mode gateway 16 (server) to the child device 120. To do.
Therefore, it is possible to search for information and display information in the child device 120. Furthermore, the child device 120 receives the L sent from the parent device 20.
The image data of the mode gateway 16 is transferred to the television receiver 210, and the information can be displayed on the television receiver.

In the first embodiment, since the display image on the television receiver 210 can be remotely controlled by the slave unit 120, the slave unit 120 can be operated at a desired place, and the parent unit in a poor location can be operated. Information retrieval operations are easier to perform than when using a machine. In the example described above, the desired search information can be displayed on the television receiver 210 by operating the child device 120 in the living room without operating the facsimile device main body 20 on the entrance shoebox. it can. Further, since the information acquired from the L-mode gateway 16 (server) via the parent device 20 is displayed on the television receiver 210, it is possible to comfortably browse the search information on a large screen and in color.

[Main Control Processing Executed by CPU 57 of Master Unit 20] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a flow of main control processing executed by the CPU 57 of the facsimile apparatus main body (master unit) 20 in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart. CPU
Reference numeral 57 denotes a program recorded (stored) in the ROM 50, and is subjected to various arithmetic processing by a computer.
The process of each of the following steps (hereinafter, referred to as “S”) is executed. A computer-readable recording medium (semiconductor memory (memory stick, etc.), hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, data card (IC card, magnetic card, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R) can read the program. , CD-RW, DV
D, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), a phase change disk, a magnetic tape, etc. are recorded (stored) in an external recording device (external storage device), and the program is stored in the external recording device as necessary. It may be used by loading it from the CPU to the CPU 57 and starting it.

The CPU 57 first determines whether or not the key (L button) 22b for starting communication with the L mode gateway 16 has been operated (S12), and when the L button 22b has been operated (S12: Yes), L on base unit 20
Communication with the mode gateway 16, that is, base unit GW communication processing for performing a simple Internet search is performed (S100). On the other hand, unless the L button 22b is operated (S12: No), it is determined whether or not the handset 120 has been operated and a GW communication start handset command for starting the L-mode gateway communication has been transmitted from the handset side (S1).
4). Here, when the GW communication start slave device command is received (S14: Yes), a search image is displayed on the slave device side,
It is determined whether or not the TV viewing flag via the slave for selecting whether to display the search image on the television receiver side is set (S16). When the display of the search image on the slave unit is selected and the TV browsing via slave unit is not set (S16: No), the slave unit GW communication for displaying the search image on the slave unit 120 is performed. Perform processing (S20)
0). If the search image display on the television receiver side is selected and the TV browsing flag via the child device is set (S16: Yes), the television receiver 210
The GW communication process for TV via slave unit for displaying the search image is performed in step S300. Then, unless the GW communication start slave device command is received (S14: No), the process ends.

Subsequently, the master unit GW communication process in S100 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 showing the subroutine. First, it is determined whether acquisition of the image data corresponding to the command is completed (S110). When the acquisition of the image data is completed (S110: Yes), the HTML file forming the image data is interpreted, new image data is created, and displayed on the display 21 (see FIG. 2) (S112). Then, it waits until a key input is made (S114). If there is a key input (S114: Ye
s), the input key is converted into a command (S11
6) It is determined whether the command is to be sent to the L-mode gateway 16 (GW) (S118). here,
If the command is to send to the GW (S118: Y
es), the input key is converted into a command and transmitted to the GW (S120).

On the other hand, if the command is not to be sent to the GW (S118: No), then the command is an instruction to end the L-mode gateway communication (GW communication), that is, to end the simple Internet search. It is determined (S130). If it is not an instruction to end the GW communication (S130: No), the input key is converted into a command, image data corresponding to the command is created, and displayed on the display 21 (S132). , Processing according to the command is performed (S134). Then, the process returns to S110 to continue the processing. On the other hand, when the termination of the GW communication is instructed (S130: Yes), after performing the processing of GW communication termination such as closing the line with the L-mode gateway 16 (S130).
140), after updating the image display of the display device 21 to the standby display (S142), all the processing ends.

Subsequently, the slave unit GW communication process in S200 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 showing the subroutine. First, it is determined whether acquisition of the image data corresponding to the command is completed (S210). When the acquisition of the image data is completed (S210: Yes), the HTML file forming the image data is interpreted, only the text data is extracted, and new image data for display on the text-based child device 120 is created (S212). ), And transmits the created new image data to the child device 120 (S213).
As a result, a text-based image is displayed on the display unit 121 (see FIG. 4) on the child device side as described later. That is, when an image is displayed on the small display unit 121 of the child device 120, the display is made easy to see and the data transfer time is shortened by limiting the image to a text-based image.

Then, the process waits until the command corresponding to the key input of the child device 120 is received (S214). If the command is received (S214: Yes), the command is L
It is determined whether the data is to be sent to the mode gateway (GW) (S218). If the command is to be sent to the GW (S218: Yes), the input command is sent to the GW (S220).

On the other hand, if the command is not to be sent to the GW (S218: No), it is determined whether or not the command is an instruction to end the GW communication, that is, to end the simplified Internet search (S230). ). Here, when it is not an instruction to end the GW communication (S230: N
o), image data according to the command is created and transmitted to the child device side (S232), and processing according to the command is performed (S).
234). Then, the process returns to S210 to continue the process.

On the other hand, when the end of the GW communication is instructed (S230: Yes), after the process of ending the GW communication such as closing the line with the L mode gateway 16 is performed (S).
240), after transmitting a command for changing the image display on the display 121 of the slave 120 to the standby state to the slave (S2
42), and all processing is completed.

Subsequently, the slave unit 1 in S300 of FIG.
The 20-route TVGW communication process will be described with reference to FIG. 10 showing the subroutine. First, it is determined whether acquisition of the image data corresponding to the command is completed (S310). When acquisition of image data is completed (S31
0: Yes), the HTML file forming the image data is interpreted, new image data is created (S312), and the created new image data is transmitted to the child device (S313).

Then, it waits until the command corresponding to the key input of the child device 120 is received (S314). If the command is received (S314: Yes), the received command is converted into a command for GW communication processing (S31).
6), it is determined whether the command is to be sent to the L-mode gateway (GW) (S318). Here, if the command is to send to the GW (S318: Ye
s), the input command is transmitted to the GW (S32
0).

On the other hand, if the command is not to be sent to the GW (S318: No), it is determined whether or not the command is an instruction to end the GW communication, that is, to end the simplified Internet search (S330). ). Here, if it is not an instruction to end the GW communication (S330: N
o), image data according to the command is created and transmitted to the child device side (S332), and processing according to the command is performed (S).
334). Then, the process returns to S310 to continue the process.

On the other hand, if the end of the GW communication is instructed (S330: Yes), after the end of the GW communication such as closing the line with the L mode gateway 16 is performed (S).
340), after transmitting a command to display the image on the display 121 of the slave 120 to the standby state display to the slave 120 (S342), all the processes are ended.

[Main Control Processing Executed by CPU 57 of Handset 120] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control processing executed by the CPU 157 of the facsimile machine (handset) 120 in the first embodiment. CPU15
7 is according to a program recorded (stored) in the ROM 150, by various arithmetic processing by the computer,
The processing of the following steps is executed.

The CPU 157 waits until a key input is made (S412). Here, if there is a key input (S
412: Yes), it is determined whether or not the key for starting the L-mode gateway communication (GW communication), that is, the key for performing the simplified Internet search is input (S414), and if it is not the start key. Is (S414: N
o), the processing input with a key other than the L-mode gateway communication is performed (S420).

On the other hand, if the start key is operated (S
(414: Yes), it is determined whether the subsequently operated key is the TV mode GW communication start key for displaying on the TV (S416). When the TV mode GW communication start key for displaying on the TV is operated (S416: Yes), the TV browsing flag via the slave unit 120 for setting the display on the television receiver side is set. (S422). On the other hand, if the TV mode GW communication start key has not been operated (S416: No), the T via the slave unit 120 for setting the display on the television receiver side is set.
The V browsing flag is reset (S424).

Subsequently, the command for starting the L mode gateway communication is transmitted to the master unit 20 (S430). Correspondingly, when the parent device interprets the HTML file forming the image data and creates new image data and sends it as described above (text-based data reception from the parent device). S432: Yes), TV via slave unit 120
It is determined whether or not the browsing flag is set (S43
4) When the TV browsing flag via the child device 120 is set (S434: Yes), the received image data is transferred and a new image is displayed on the television receiver side (S).
436). On the other hand, when the TV browsing flag via the child device 120 is not set (S434: No), the image based on the text-based data received from the parent device 20 is displayed in FIG.
It is displayed on the display 121 shown in (S438).

On the other hand, when the text-based data is not sent from the base unit 20 (S432: No), it is judged whether or not the command is received from the base unit (S440), and when the command is received. (S440: Yes), it is determined whether the command is the standby screen display (S442). When the command is not the standby screen display command (S442: No),
A process based on the command is performed (S450), and S41
Return to 2. On the other hand, if the standby screen display command is sent from the master device 20 (S442: Yes), the slave device 120
It is determined whether or not the via TV browsing flag is set (S444), and when the via TV browsing flag is set (S444: Yes), the GW communication end screen is displayed on the television receiver side. A command for displaying is transmitted to the television receiver side (S446). On the other hand, when the TV browsing flag via the child device 120 is not set (S444: No), standby image data is created and displayed on the display 121 (S448). If the command is not received (S440: No), it is determined whether or not there is a key input (S460). If the key is input (S460: Yes), the key is converted into a command and the master unit is operated. 20 to S20 (S462).

[E-mail Arrival Notification Processing] In the first embodiment, the television receiver 210 displays that there is an arrival notification of an email from the L-mode gateway 16 side. That is, the fact that the electronic mail is received by the facsimile apparatus main body 20 or the slave side 120 is stored, and the reception of the electronic mail is displayed on the television receiver. It is possible to reliably notify the arrival of an electronic mail by using the television receiver 210 without going to the facsimile apparatus main body 20 to check whether the electronic mail has arrived.

The incoming notification check process of the electronic mail performed by the facsimile apparatus main body (master device) 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 which is a flowchart of the process. C
The PU 57 waits until an email arrival notification is received from the L-mode gateway 16 (S602). Here, if there is an incoming call notification (S602: Yes), first, a pictogram for notifying the incoming e-mail is displayed on the standby screen of the display 21 shown in FIG. 2 (S604). As a result, the facsimile apparatus main body 20 also recognizes the arrival of the electronic mail. Then, the command for notifying the arrival of the e-mail is transmitted to the child device 120 (S606), and the process ends.

Next, the incoming mail process of the electronic mail on the side of the handset 120 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 showing the process. CPU 157 of the child device 120
Waits until it receives a command (S71
2), when the command is received (S712: Yes),
It is determined whether the command is a command for notifying the arrival of an e-mail from the base unit side (S714). Here, if the command is other than the command for notifying the arrival of the electronic mail (S714: No), the process is performed according to the command (S730).

On the other hand, if the command is a command for notifying the arrival of the electronic mail (S714: Yes), first, a pictogram for notifying the arrival of the electronic mail is displayed on the standby screen of the display 121 of the child device 120 shown in FIG. (S71
6). Next, an incoming call notification processing command for displaying an incoming email is transmitted to the television receiver 210 (S718). Then, the incoming notification flag for storing the incoming email is set (S722), and the incoming notification check timer for sending the incoming notification processing command at a predetermined cycle is started (S722).

At the next cycle time of the CPU 157, S
If the judgment of the reception of the command in 712 is No,
It is determined whether or not the incoming call notification TV transfer flag is set, that is, whether or not the incoming call notification to the television receiver side has been completed (S740). Here, incoming notification TV
When the transfer flag is set, that is, when the incoming notification to the television receiver side has not been completed (S740: Ye
s), it is determined whether or not the reception report of the incoming notification is received from the television receiver 210 (S742). here,
When the reception report of the incoming call notification is received (S742: Ye
s), the incoming call notification TV transfer flag is reset, and the process ends (S746). On the other hand, the television receiver 210
Until receiving the reception notification of the incoming call notification from (S742:
No), it is determined whether or not the incoming notification check timer for transmitting the incoming notification processing command described above in a predetermined cycle has timed up (S744), and at each timing when the time is up (S744: Yes), the television An incoming call notification processing command for displaying an incoming email is transmitted to the receiver 210 (S748), and an incoming notification check timer is started (S750).

In the first embodiment, the television receiver 2
Until the notification that the instruction to receive the mail from 10 is received, the television receiver repeatedly sends the instruction to display the reception of the electronic mail. Therefore, it is possible to reliably notify the arrival of the electronic mail by using the television receiver.

The incoming process of the electronic mail performed on the side of the handset 120 according to the modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14 showing the process. In the process shown in FIG. 13, the instruction to display the reception of the electronic mail is repeatedly sent to the television receiver side. In this modified example, it is detected whether the television receiver 210 is displaying an image, and the image display is performed. Send an instruction once to display the reception of an e-mail.

The CPU 157 of the child device 120 waits until a command is received (S712), and when the command is received (S712: Yes), the command notifies the arrival of an electronic mail from the parent device side. It is determined whether or not (S714). If the command is other than the command for notifying the arrival of the electronic mail (S714: N
o), processing is performed according to the command (S730).

On the other hand, if the command is a command for notifying the arrival of the electronic mail (S714: Yes), first, a pictogram for notifying the arrival of the electronic mail is displayed on the standby screen of the display 121 of the child device 120 shown in FIG. (S71
6). Then, the incoming call notification flag for storing the incoming mail is set (S722), and the process ends.

At the next cycle time of the CPU 157, S
If the judgment of the reception of the command in 712 is No,
It is determined whether the incoming call notification TV transfer flag is set (S740). Here, when the incoming call notification TV transfer flag is set (S740: Yes), it is determined whether the television receiver 210 is displaying an image (S7).
42). Here, if the image is not displayed (S742: No), the process is temporarily terminated and the television receiver 210 waits until the image is displayed.

On the other hand, when the image is displayed on the television receiver 210 (S742: Yes), the television receiver 210 transmits an incoming call notification processing command for displaying the incoming email (( S748),
The incoming notification flag for storing the incoming e-mail is reset (S746), and the process ends.

In this modified example, the television receiver 21
It is determined whether or not 0 is displaying an image, and when it is determined that the image is being displayed, the television receiver 210 displays the reception of the electronic mail. Therefore, even if bidirectional communication cannot be performed between the communication device and the television receiver, the television receiver 210 is provided on the facsimile device main body 20 or the slave device 120 side.
If it is possible to detect whether or not the image is being displayed, it is possible to reliably notify the arrival of the electronic mail using the television receiver 210.

FIG. 21 shows the configuration of a slave unit according to another example of the first embodiment. Another example has the same configuration as the slave unit of the first embodiment, but is provided with a TV image output 154 for sending a television signal to a television receiver. In this another example, the image base signal sent from the parent device can be converted into a television signal on the child device side, and an image can be displayed on the television receiver.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a connection relationship among a facsimile apparatus main body (master device) 20, a slave device 120, and a television receiver 210 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the facsimile device main body (parent device) 20, the child device 120, and the television receiver 210.
Is installed indoors, and the main body of the facsimile device (master device) 20
The child device 120 and the television receiver 210 are arranged in a different room. Between the parent device 20 and the child device 120,
Two-way communication can be performed wirelessly. Further, the television receiver 210 is configured so that a TV signal is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus main body 20 via the cable 214.

The facsimile apparatus main body (master device) 20 is connected to the L-mode gateway 16 via the public telephone line 15 and an exchange (not shown) so that information can be searched for in the L-mode. Then, the child device 120 is wirelessly connected to the parent device 20 and commands the acquisition of information in the L mode, and the parent device 20 receives the image data acquired from the L mode gateway 16 (server) from the television receiver 21.
Send to 0. Therefore, by operating the child device 120, desired information can be displayed on the television receiver 210.

In the second embodiment, since the display image on the television receiver 210 can be remotely operated by the operation on the side of the handset 120, it is possible to operate the handset 120 at any place and place it. The information retrieval operation is easier to perform than the operation on the unfavorable base unit. Since the television receiver 210 displays the information acquired from the L-mode gateway 16 (server) via the parent device 20, it is possible to comfortably browse the search information on a large screen and in color. Further, since the TV signal is sent from the facsimile apparatus main body 20 to the television receiver 210, the image information retrieved in the L mode can be displayed on the general-purpose television receiver 210.

The electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus main body 20 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The configuration of the facsimile apparatus main body 20 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. However, the facsimile apparatus main body 20 of the second embodiment is provided with a TV image output 54 for outputting a TV signal to the television receiver 210.

[Main Control Processing Executed by CPU 57 of Master Unit 20] Next, the process on the master unit 20 side of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 17 and 18 show a facsimile device main body (master device) 20 according to the second embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a flow of main control processing executed by a CPU 57 of FIG.

The CPU 57 first determines whether or not the key (L button) 22b for starting communication with the L mode gateway 16 has been operated (S12), and when the L button 22b has been operated (S12: Yes). , Communication with the L-mode gateway 16 in the base unit, that is, the base unit GW communication process for performing a simple Internet search is performed (S10).
0). On the other hand, unless the L button 22b is operated (S1
2: No), and it is determined whether or not the child device 120 has been operated and a GW communication start child device command for starting the L-mode gateway communication has been transmitted from the child device side (S14). Here, when the GW communication start slave device command is received (S14:
Yes), T for selecting whether to display the search image on the slave unit side or to display the search image on the television receiver side
It is determined whether the V browsing flag is set (S1).
6). When the search image display on the child device 120 side is selected and the TV browsing flag is not set (S1
6: No), the slave unit GW communication process for displaying the search image on the slave unit 120 is performed (S200). When the search image display on the television receiver side is selected and the TV browsing flag is set (S16: Yes), T for displaying the search image on the television receiver 210 is set.
V GW communication processing is performed (S300). Then, unless the GW communication start slave device command is received (S14: N
o), the process ends.

The master unit GW communication process in S100 and the slave unit GW communication process in S200 in FIG. 17 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Therefore, the description is omitted, and the TVGW communication process in S300 will be described with reference to FIG. 18 showing the subroutine. First, it is determined whether acquisition of the image data corresponding to the command is completed (S310). When the acquisition of the image data is completed (S310: Yes), the HTML file forming the image data is interpreted, new image data is created (S312), and the created new image data is transmitted to the television receiver 210 (S313). ).

Then, the process waits until a command corresponding to the key input of the child device 120 is received (S314). If the command is received (S314: Yes), the received command is converted into a command for GW communication processing (S31).
6), it is determined whether the command is to be sent to the L-mode gateway (GW) (S318). Here, if the command is to send to the GW (S318: Ye
s), the input command is transmitted to the GW (S32
0).

On the other hand, if the command is not to be sent to the GW (S318: No), it is determined whether or not the command is an instruction to end the GW communication, that is, to end the simplified Internet search (S330). ). Here, if it is not an instruction to end the GW communication (S330: N
o), image data according to the command is created and transmitted to the television receiver 210 (S332), and processing according to the command is performed (S334). Then, the process returns to S310 to continue the process.

On the other hand, when the end of the GW communication is instructed (S330: Yes), after the process of ending the GW communication such as closing the line with the L mode gateway 16 is performed (S).
340), after transmitting the image for displaying the image on the display 121 of the slave unit 120 to the standby state display to the television receiver (S342), all the processes are ended.

[Main Control Processing Executed by CPU 57 of Child Machine 120] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control processing executed by the CPU 157 of the facsimile machine (child machine) 120 in the second embodiment. CPU15
No. 7 is waiting for key input (S412).
Here, if there is a key input (S412: Yes), it is determined whether or not a key for starting the L-mode gateway communication, that is, a key for performing a simplified Internet search is input (S414), If the key is not the start key (S414: No), the process input with a key other than the L mode gateway communication is performed (S420).

On the other hand, if the start key is operated (S
414: Yes), and it is determined whether the subsequently operated key is the TV mode GW communication start key for displaying on the TV (S416). When the TV mode GW communication start key for displaying on the TV is operated (S416: Yes), the TV browsing flag for setting display on the television receiver side is set (S42).
2). On the other hand, when the TV mode GW communication start key is not operated (S416: No), the TV browsing flag that sets the display on the television receiver side is reset (S).
424).

Subsequently, the command for starting the L mode gateway communication is transmitted to the master device 20 (S430). Correspondingly, when the parent device interprets the HTML file forming the image data and creates new image data and sends it as described above (text-based data reception from the parent device). (S432: Yes), it is determined whether the TV browsing flag is set (S434), and the image based on the text-based data received from the parent device 20 is displayed in FIG.
It is displayed on the display 121 shown in (S438).

On the other hand, when the text-based data is not sent from the parent device 20 (S432: No), it is judged whether or not the command from the parent device 20 is received (S440),
When the command is received (S440: Yes), it is determined whether the command is the standby screen display (S442).
If the command is not a standby screen display command (S442:
No), the process based on the command is performed (S45
0) and returns to S410. On the other hand, when the standby screen display command is sent from the master device 20 (S442: Ye
s), standby image data is created and displayed on the display 121 (S448). When the command is not received (S440: No), it is determined whether or not there is a key input (S460), and when there is a key input (S460:
Yes), and the key is converted into a command and transmitted to the parent device 20 (S462).

[E-mail arrival notification processing] In the second embodiment, the television receiver 210 displays that there is an e-mail arrival notification from the L-mode gateway 16 side. It is no longer necessary to let the communication device check whether or not an incoming e-mail has arrived, and the television receiver 210 can be used to reliably notify the incoming e-mail.

The incoming notification processing of the electronic mail performed by the facsimile apparatus main body (master device) 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 20, which is a flowchart of the processing. CPU57
Stands by until an email arrival notification is sent from the L-mode gateway 16 (S602). Here, if there is an incoming call notification (S602: Yes), first, a pictogram for notifying the incoming e-mail is displayed on the standby screen of the display 21 shown in FIG. 2 (S604). As a result, the facsimile apparatus main body 20 also recognizes the arrival of the electronic mail. Then, the image data for displaying the arrival of the electronic mail is transmitted to the television receiver 210 (S60
6), the process ends.

The above embodiment is embodied in an L mode compatible facsimile as an example of various communication devices 11 compatible with the L mode. However, what kind of communication device (for example,
I-mode provided by NTT, various communication systems using the Internet network, various information communication networks other than the Internet network (various LANs, LANs with a bus configuration)
May be applied to a communication device that uses Ethernet (registered trademark), etc. The communication device may be any device (for example, a telephone, a facsimile,
Various information devices (mobile terminals, personal computers with a modem, etc.)

The constituent elements described in [Claims] and [Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention] and the constituent members described in [Embodiment of the Invention] described later The correspondence is as follows.
The data requesting means in claim 1 corresponds to the processing of S462 of FIG. 11, and the transmitting means corresponds to the processing of S313 of FIG. The signal converting means in claim 2 is the TV in FIG.
It corresponds to the image output 54. The mail reception / storage means in claim 3 corresponds to the processing of S720 of FIG. 13, and the mail reception / display means corresponds to the processing of S718 of FIG. The communication means of claim 4 corresponds to the RF unit 153 of FIG. 5,
The mail reception storage means corresponds to the processing of S720 of FIG. 13, the mail display instruction means corresponds to the processing of S718 of FIG. 13, the reception notification determination means corresponds to the processing of S742 of FIG. The means corresponds to the processing of S748 in FIG. The mail receiving and storing means in claim 5 is shown in FIG.
4 corresponds to the processing of S720, and the determination means is S7 of FIG.
The process corresponds to the process of S42, and the mail reception display unit corresponds to the process of S748 in FIG. "Program" is the CPU
57 or FIG. 17 executed by the CPU 157 or FIG.
~ Corresponds to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. The “recording medium” corresponds to the ROM 50 and the ROM 151.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system in L mode.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external appearance of the body of an L-mode compatible facsimile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main body of an L-mode compatible facsimile.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the external appearance of a slave unit of the L-mode compatible facsimile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of a slave unit of the L-mode compatible facsimile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship among a master unit, a slave unit, and a television receiver of the L-mode compatible facsimile according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of main control processing executed by a CPU provided in the main body according to the first embodiment.

8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a master unit GW communication process in FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of slave unit GW communication processing in FIG. 7. FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of GW communication process for TV via slave unit in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a CPU included in the child device according to the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control processing executed by the.

FIG. 12 is a CPU included in the main body according to the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the incoming mail notification check process executed by the.

FIG. 13 is a CPU included in the child device according to the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the incoming mail notification check process executed by the.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a mail arrival notification process executed by a CPU included in a child device according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship between a master unit, a slave unit, and a television receiver of the L-mode compatible facsimile according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block circuit diagram showing the electrical configuration of the L-mode compatible facsimile apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a CPU included in the main body according to the second embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control processing executed by the.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of slave unit control TV GW communication processing in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a CPU included in the child device according to the second embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control processing executed by the.

FIG. 20 is a CPU included in the main body according to the second embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing an incoming mail notification process executed by the.

FIG. 21 is a block circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of a slave unit of an L-mode compatible facsimile according to another example of the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Communication system in L mode 11 ... Various communication devices compatible with L mode 15 ... Public telephone line 16 ... L-mode gateway 20. Main body of L mode compatible facsimile (master unit) 21 ... Indicator 22 ... Buttons 41 ... Panel GA 42 ... Motor 43 ... Thermal head 46 ... AFE 50 ... ROM 51 ... RAM 52 ... EEPROM 54 ... Crosspoint switch 56 ... NCU 57 ... CPU 58 ... Recording circuit 60 ... FAX / data modem 120 ... Fax machine 121 ... Display 122 ... Buttons 150 ... ROM 151 ... RAM 152 ... EEPROM 157 ... CPU

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA11 AA12 AA29 AB23                       AB38 AB42 AC29 AC42 AC43                       AF00 BA04 BB03                 5K027 AA12 BB01 FF21 KK02 MM17                 5K101 KK01 KK02 LL14 NN18 NN21                       PP03

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A communication device comprising a master unit capable of acquiring data provided from a server via a communication line, and a slave unit wirelessly connected to the master unit as necessary. The slave unit includes a data requesting unit for requesting the master unit to acquire and send data from the server, and the master unit obtains based on a request from the data requesting unit on the slave unit side. A communication device, characterized in that the television receiver can be remotely controlled by a slave unit by including transmitting means for transferring the data to the television receiver. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the master unit includes signal conversion means for converting the acquired data into a television signal. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit includes a signal conversion unit for converting the acquired data into a television signal. 4. A communication device capable of receiving an electronic mail, wherein a mail receiving / storing means for storing reception of the electronic mail, and a mail receiving display for displaying reception of the electronic mail on a television receiver. And a communication device. 5. In a communication device capable of receiving electronic mail, communication means capable of two-way communication with a television receiver, and mail reception storage means for storing reception of electronic mail. A mail display instruction means for sending an instruction to display reception of an electronic mail by the television receiver based on the reception storage in the mail reception storage means, and a notification that the instruction for mail reception from the television receiver has been received Reception notification determining means for determining whether or not the email reception instruction determining means determines whether or not the reception notification determining means determines that the television receiver receives the email reception instruction from the television receiver. And a mail display re-instructing means for repeatedly sending an instruction to display reception of an electronic mail. 6. A communication device capable of receiving an electronic mail, wherein mail receiving / storing means for storing that the electronic mail is received, and whether the television receiver is displaying an image when the electronic mail is received. Determining means for determining whether or not, and when the determining means determines that an image is being displayed, the television receiver displays the reception of the electronic mail based on the reception storage in the mail reception storage means. A communication device comprising: a display unit. 7. A program for causing a computer system to function as each of the means in the communication device according to claim 1. Description: 8. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer system to function as each of the units in the communication device according to claim 1 is recorded.