JP2003198768A - Image communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication apparatus which judges whether printing is being performed or not at the point of time when connection is requested from a cordless slave set, permits the connection request from the slave set when printing is not being conducted and stably continues calling till its end. <P>SOLUTION: The image communication apparatus is provided with a small power cordless telephone control part which is connected to the slave set by radio, transmits a control channel to the slave set and makes connection possible, a printer interface means with a PC and a recording part for recording a facsimile image and data from the PC. When a connection request signal from the slave set is received by the cordless telephone control part, the control part confirms the state of the interface with the PC. The small power cordless telephone control part receives the connection request from the slave set when the recording part is not recording. Thus, the recording part is not operated as far as the cordless slave set is under usage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cordless telephone wireless connection method for a facsimile with a printer function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus with a low power cordless telephone function, a cordless slave cannot make a call when a recording unit operates such as when printing a facsimile received image or when printing a copy.

This is because the harmonic noise generated in the main body of the facsimile apparatus during the operation of the recording unit becomes large, which may interfere with the control channel used for wirelessly connecting the cordless cordless handset. Cordless communication is disabled when using.

If the control channel is disturbed, the control channel cannot be used and the cordless cordless handset cannot be used.

[0005]

On the other hand, conventionally, in order to prevent the interference of the control channel, measures such as reducing the output of the oscillator which is the oscillation source and delaying the rising and falling of the clock waveform are taken. By taking measures, the level of the radiated noise generated by the electronic device body is attenuated so as not to interfere with the control channel. Further, the radiated pattern is searched for, and noise countermeasures are applied to the pattern to suppress the generation of harmonic noise. However, it is difficult at present to take sufficient noise countermeasures by downsizing the device and reducing costs.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in the apparatus having the printer mode and the FAX mode, if the facsimile apparatus is in the printer mode, the printing operation can be started at any time, and when the printer operation is started, the control of the cordless call is performed. The problem is that the cordless handset is pre-restricted during printer mode because it is disturbed by the channel, and thus cannot be used.

The above problem is also a problem that occurs in image communication apparatuses other than facsimile machines.

According to the present invention, when there is a connection request from the cordless slave unit, it is determined whether or not the printing operation is in progress. If not, the connection request from the slave unit is permitted, and then the call is made. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication device that can make a stable call until the end of.

Further, according to the present invention, when a connection request is issued from a cordless cordless handset, it is judged whether or not a printing operation is in progress. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication device that does not interfere with the communication channel of a child device by positively switching from the printer mode to the FAX mode.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus which can be smoothly used by a slave unit when a user makes a mistaken operation or forgets to switch modes.

According to the present invention, the timer measures the time during which the recording unit is not performing the recording operation after shifting to the printer mode, and when the measured time exceeds a certain value, a connection request from the slave unit is made. If so, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication apparatus capable of notifying a user who is using the recording unit of that fact and selecting whether to cancel or continue the printer mode.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a slave unit can be wirelessly connected, and a control channel is sent between the control unit for controlling the entire image communication apparatus and the slave unit to establish a connection. A connection request signal from the slave unit in an image communication apparatus including a low-power cordless telephone control unit that enables it, a printer interface unit with a PC, and a recording unit that records a facsimile image and data from the PC. Is received by the cordless telephone control section, the control section confirms the state of the interface with the PC, and if the recording section is not in the recording operation, the small power cordless telephone control section is transferred from the slave unit. The connection unit accepts the connection request and the recording unit does not operate as long as the cordless slave is in use.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus FS1 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus FS1 includes a control unit 1 and
The ROM 2, the work memory 3, the memory 4, the image processing unit 5, the operation unit 6, the image recording unit 7, the clock timer 8, the reading unit 9, the modem 10, the NCU 11, and the wireless communication unit 12. And a cordless cordless handset terminal 13 and connected to the telephone line 14.

The control unit 1 controls the entire facsimile apparatus FS1, the ROM 2 is a memory that stores a control program, and the work memory 3 is used for calculations required for control and for the user. It is a memory that stores the settings.

The memory 4 stores the received image, the image read by the reading unit 9, or a PC (Personal Com).
The image processing unit 5 is an image processing unit 5 that performs image processing to output a facsimile received image, a read image, and the like to the image recording unit 7, and an operation unit. 6 includes a display section and an input section.

The reading unit 9 is a reading unit 9 such as a line sensor for reading a facsimile transmission image, and the modem 10 is
The NCU 11 is an interface between a telephone line and a facsimile, and the wireless communication unit 12 is a unit that serves as a base station for low power cordless communication.

Here, the control unit 1, the ROM 2, the work memory 3, the memory, the image recording unit 7, the operation unit 6, the timer, the modem 10, the image processing unit 5, and the wireless communication unit 12 are connected to the bus, and the modem 10 is connected. , NCU 11 are connected by signal lines, and the image processing means 5 reading unit 9 is connected by signal lines.

Further, the cordless connection device and the slave station are wirelessly connected via an antenna.

Further, the control unit 1 performs serial communication (RS-232C, U) with a controller inside the image recording means 7.
It is connected by ART etc.).

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

The image processing means 5 is built in the main body of the facsimile apparatus FS1, and the image processing means 5 operates when the image reading section 9 operates at the time of FAX transmission / reception and copying.

The image processing unit 5 converts the RGB image data read by the image reading unit 9 into CMYK image data, and the CMYK image data is transferred to the image recording unit 7 and recorded.

The image recording means 7 in the facsimile apparatus FS1 has a controller such as a CPU inside, and the controller and the control unit 1 perform serial communication such as UART. By this serial communication, the control unit 1 can constantly monitor the operation and state of the image recording unit 7.

For example, when the image recording means 7 is not operating, the serial communication is also stopped and the control unit 1
The state can also be detected from the.

When the image recording means 7 starts the printing operation,
A large radiation noise is generated from the image recording means 7 inside the device. Further, this radiation noise is radiated by a cable or the like and becomes larger. If the frequency of this radiated noise happens to be the same frequency as the cordless control channel or call channel, it will interfere with control or call.

In more detail, between the cordless connection device and the slave station, wireless control is performed based on the radio equipment of the radio station of the cordless telephone defined in Article 6 (4) of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulation. To do. The control channel of the connected device is
The frequency of 380.775MHz or 381.3125MHz is used, and the communication channel is 380.2125.
A frequency between MHz and 381.30 MHz,
1 at 380.2125MHz and 380.2125MHz
The frequency is an integer multiple of 2.5 kHz. However,
It is a frequency excluding 380.775 MHz.

In the slave station, its control channel is 254.4425 MHz or 254.9625 MH.
Using the frequency of z, the call channel is 253.86.
25MHz or more and 254.95MHz or less, 253.8625MHz and 253.8625MHz
And a frequency obtained by adding an integer multiple of 12.5 kHz. However, it is the frequency excluding 254.425 MHz.

The cordless connection device and the slave station are provided with carrier sense (device for preventing interference), and it is judged whether or not the frequency of the radio wave used before transmission is in an idle state (other than the communication partner). Radio waves emitted from the radio equipment of a wireless station of a cordless telephone are received, and it is checked that the reception input voltage is 2 μV or less), and radio waves with a transmission frequency corresponding to the frequency of the radio waves are available only when there is an empty state. To set the communication path.

Therefore, when the radiated noise and its harmonics in the device as described above are generated at the same frequency, which greatly exceeds the 2 μV, the carrier sense causes the cordless connection device on the receiving side or The mobile station determines that the control channel is busy and cannot use this frequency.

Therefore, in the normal standby state of the facsimile, the connection request from the cordless cordless handset is accepted under the condition that the image recording means 7 is not operating. That is, the use of the cordless cordless handset is permitted only when there is no interference radio wave from the device to the cordless control channel.

In the above embodiment, a USB cable connector is provided to enable printing from a PC by USB connection. When printing normal facsimile received data or image data read by the reading unit 9, US
The same image recording means 7 as the print by B connection is also used.

That is, the printer mode (P
The facsimile machine has both a printer mode and a conventional FAX mode.

Here, the switching between the printer mode and the FAX mode is performed by the user's operation by the "Printer mode key" or by the control unit 1, and the two modes are switched by a toggle.

That is, in the printer mode, the recording means often operates or starts to operate, and normally the use of the cordless cordless handset is prohibited for the above reason. The same is true in the FAX mode, and it is common that the cordless cordless handset cannot be used when the received image is being printed.

In the above embodiment, after checking whether or not the control unit 1 is in the printer mode, it is also confirmed by the serial communication means that printing is not in progress, and printing is performed after shifting to the printer mode. If the time t1 is not counted, and the result is that the time t1 is longer than the predetermined time (specified time), then when the connection request is made from the cordless cordless handset, The printer mode is automatically canceled, the fax mode is restored, and the cordless cordless handset is permitted to be used.

Even when the time t1 is shorter than the specified time, the user who is using the printer mode is allowed to use the slave unit through the display unit of the master unit or the user interface such as voice guidance. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to cancel the printer mode.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

In step S201, when the apparatus is switched to the printer mode in the standby mode and the control section 1 stops the image recording means 7, the timer is controlled to start counting the time t1. . The time t1 is cleared when the image recording means 7 starts operating or the printer mode is released.

In step S202, the cordless slave unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as "slave unit") 13 issues a wireless communication connection request to the master unit (facsimile device FS1) on the control CH (channel).

Here, the control CH (channel) itself is
If it is disturbed by radiation noise, etc.,
It cannot be used, the request is not satisfied, and the process ends without a response.

At S203, the control unit 1 checks whether the facsimile apparatus FS1 is currently in the printer mode or the FAX mode. As a result, if it is the printer mode, the process proceeds to step S207, and if it is the FAX mode,
It proceeds to step S204.

In S204, it is checked whether the image recording means 7 is currently in the printing operation. If printing is in progress, the process proceeds to step S208. If printing is not in progress, step S2 is performed.
Go to 05.

In S205, a response for permitting the use of the call channel to the handset 13 is executed via the wireless communication means 12. As a result, in S206, a cordless call can be made, and after the call ends, the process returns to step S201.

In S208, it is determined that printing is being performed in the FAX mode (the image recording means 7 is operating), and S209
Then, cordless communication is currently not possible (BUSY)
That is, the wireless communication means 12 notifies the slave unit, and the process proceeds to step S210.

In S210, the slave unit cancels the wireless connection request and returns to step S201.

In S207, it is checked whether or not the image recording means 7 is currently in the printing operation. If printing is in progress, the process proceeds to step S209. If printing is not in progress, step S2
Proceed to 11.

In S211, the control section 1 reads the value of the time t1 and compares it with a preset specified value. The specified value is a numerical value that represents a time that can be set in advance by the user, and when the printer mode is entered and the image recording means 7 is not operating, the control unit 1 sets the facsimile apparatus FS1 to the printer mode. It is the time from returning to FAX mode.

If this time t1 is short, the printer mode is returned too quickly to the FAX mode, which hinders the user's use of the device as a printer, resulting in poor usability.

As a result of the comparison in S211, if the time t1 is not less than the specified value, the process proceeds to step S214. If it is less than the specified value, the process proceeds to step S212. In S212, the user who is using the master unit is notified that a connection request from the slave unit has been made, although it is less than the specified value. As a method of notifying this, displaying on a display unit such as an LCD or giving voice guidance can be considered.

At S214, the control unit 1 returns the facsimile apparatus FS1 in the printer mode to the FAX mode. Then, it progresses to step S204.

The above embodiment may be applied to an image communication device other than the facsimile device.

[0054]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the operation of the image recording means is restricted when the cordless cordless handset is used, the interference wave of the communication channel can be suppressed.
The effect that the use of the cordless cordless handset is not hindered is achieved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the printer mode is released and the image recording means is not operated during the cordless call, the cordless slave device is not hindered from being used.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the time when the image recording means is not operating in the printer mode is measured, and when it is determined that the printer is not used for a long time as a result, the printer mode is changed to the FAX mode. Since the transition is performed automatically, there is an effect that the use of the cordless cordless handset is not hindered.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the time during which the image recording means is not operating in the printer mode is measured, and if it is determined that the printer is not in use for a long time as a result, the user can display or sound. There is an effect that the mode transition can be evoked.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a facsimile apparatus FS according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing 1.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

FS1 ... Facsimile device, 1 ... control unit, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... Work memory, 4 ... memory, 5 ... Image processing means, 6 ... operation part, 7 ... Image recording means, 8 ... Clock timer, 9 ... Reading unit, 10 ... modem, 11 ... NCU, 12 ... Wireless communication means, 13 ... Cordless cordless handset terminal, 14 ... Telephone line.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA12 AA14 AA37 AB22                       AB38 AC42 AC58 BA04 BB03                 5K027 AA12 BB01 KK02                 5K067 AA05 BB08 BB21 DD11 DD52                       EE02 EE10 FF02 FF23 FF25                       GG01 GG11 HH12 HH22                 5K101 KK01 LL01 LL14 QQ01 QQ07                       QQ08

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A low-power cordless telephone control unit that is wirelessly connectable to a slave unit and sends a control channel between the control unit that controls the entire image communication apparatus and the slave unit to enable connection. In the image communication apparatus, which includes a printer interface unit with a PC and a recording unit that records a facsimile image and data from the PC, the cordless telephone control unit receives a connection request signal from the slave unit. And the control unit confirms the state of the interface with the PC, and if the recording unit is not in the recording operation, the low power cordless telephone control unit accepts a connection request from the cordless handset, An image communication apparatus, wherein the recording unit does not operate as long as the machine is in use. 2. The FA according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records a facsimile image.
When switching between the X mode and the printer mode for recording data from the PC, the control unit confirms the current mode of the recording unit, and even if the printer mode is not being recorded. , An image communication apparatus characterized by automatically switching to the FAX mode. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the elapsed time from the shift from the FAX mode to the printer mode until the control channel use permission request is received from the slave unit, and the printer is printing. If there is not, and the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time,
An image communication apparatus, wherein the printer mode is automatically canceled and the FAX mode is returned to. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein even if the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the user is notified, the printer mode is canceled and the FAX mode is returned to depending on the user's selection. An image communication device characterized by. 5. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device.