JP2009225276A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively reduce standby power during power saving, in a communication apparatus that adopts a semiconductor network control unit (NCU). <P>SOLUTION: A semiconductor NCU and an external NCU are switched and controlled for each receiving mode, thereby suppressing power feeding to a MODEM and the semiconductor NCU during power saving. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that performs communication through a communication line and a line control device. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication apparatus having two line control circuits of a semiconductor NCU and a conventional external NCU.

  A communication apparatus such as a facsimile connected to a general public line (PSTN) includes a line control circuit (NCU: Network Control Unit) for controlling the line. Conventionally, this circuit control circuit (NCU) has been composed of a plurality of parts such as a transformer, a relay, and a current sensor.

  Along with advances in semiconductor process technology, semiconductors have also been adopted for line control circuits (NCUs) of communication devices such as facsimiles that have previously been configured with multiple components, and the NCU itself consists of a single chip. The adoption of semiconductor NCUs is increasing in communication devices.

  As a conventional example of switching between a semiconductor NCU and a conventional NCU, there is JP-A-2005-260491. This is based on the type of NCU connected by determining whether the connected NCU is a transformer DAA or a silicon DAA. The corresponding control is performed.

On the other hand, the present invention adopts a circuit configuration having both a part of the conventional NCU and the semiconductor NCU, and the circuit configuration is different from the prior art. Furthermore, the line control circuit to be used is switched between standby for modem dial-in / number display and normal standby, and when a signal related to modem dial-in / number display is detected during normal standby, The line control circuit) is proposed.
JP 2005-260491 A

  In recent communication apparatuses such as facsimiles and multi-function peripherals (MFPs) having copy / printer / facsimile functions, there are the following problems.

  (1) There is a need to reduce the size of communication devices associated with space savings in offices and to increase the number of communication devices in response to user requests to consolidate communication devices.

  (2) From the viewpoint of energy saving, it is necessary to suppress standby power as much as possible.

  However, with the configuration of the conventional NCU alone, there is a limit to the downsizing of the apparatus and the increase in the number of lines, and the problem (1) cannot be satisfied. In addition, since it is essential for the communication device to monitor incoming signals coming from the communication line, it is necessary to supply power to the semiconductor NCU and its peripheral circuits. Although it is effective to connect to a line, the problem (2) of reducing standby power cannot be satisfied.

In order to solve the problems and problems described above, the present invention provides:
(1) In a communication apparatus having two line control circuits corresponding to one communication line and having a line control circuit switching means for switching the two line control circuits connected to the communication line,
At the time of standby processing using a specific line service, the line control circuit switching means connects one line control circuit and includes a specific line service standby line control means for performing standby processing such as signal detection processing, and uses the specific line service. In the standby processing, the other line control circuit is connected, and normal standby line control means for performing standby processing such as signal detection processing is provided.

  (2) In the communication device of (1), one of the line control circuits is a semiconductor NCU located between a modem and a communication line, and the other of the line control circuits is an incoming call detection circuit for detecting a call signal or the like. It is characterized by being an external NCU.

  (3) In the communication device of (1), the specific line service is a modem dial-in service or a number display service.

  (4) In the communication apparatus of (1), when the information receiving terminal activation signal (CAR) is detected during normal standby by the normal standby line control means, switching to the specific line service standby line control means is performed. Features.

  (5) In the communication device of (1), the V.V. When 23 modem signals are detected, switching to the line control means during standby for the specific line service is performed.

  According to the present invention, in a communication apparatus adopting a semiconductor NCU, by switching and controlling the semiconductor NCU and the external NCU for each reception mode, power supply to the modem and the semiconductor NCU can be suppressed during power saving, and standby power can be effectively obtained. Can be reduced.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

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

In FIG.
101: The CPU is a system control unit and controls the entire apparatus.

  102: The ROM stores a control program for the CPU.

  103: The RAM is composed of SRAM or the like, and is used for storing image data.

  104: The image memory is constituted by a DRAM or the like, and is used for storing image data.

  105: The resolution conversion processing unit performs resolution conversion control such as milli-inch resolution conversion of raster data.

  106: A reading / recording coding / decoding processing unit (reading / recording codec) performs coding / decoding processing of image data handled by the communication apparatus.

  107: The clock unit measures an operation interval and the like and is configured by an IC or the like.

  108, 109: The modem demodulates the modulated signal from the line, or conversely modulates the signal from the apparatus and sends it to the line.

  110: The line control unit 1 is a control unit including a semiconductor NCU and an external circuit. A handset and an external telephone are connected, and a hook detection circuit is provided for each connection terminal in order to detect off-hook / on-hook at each terminal.

  111: The line control unit 2 is a control unit including a semiconductor NCU and an external circuit. Since no telephone is connected to the line control unit 2, the telephone connection terminal and the hook detection circuit are omitted.

  112: The handset is a telephone that does not have a dialer connected to the telephone line through the line control unit 1 (NCU).

  113: The external telephone is a telephone such as an answering machine connected to the telephone line through the line control unit 1 (NCU).

  114, 115: Telephone lines with modem dial-in and number display contracts.

  116: The image processing unit performs correction processing on the image data read by the scanner and outputs high-definition image data.

  117, 118: A sheet scanner and a book scanner are composed of a CS image sensor, a document transport mechanism, and the like, and optically read a document and convert it into electrical image data. Scan double-sided originals.

  119: The operation unit includes a keyboard, a display unit, and the like, and is used by the operator to perform various input operations. Indicates that immediate dialing is possible when the handset is off-hook. When the external telephone is off-hook, it displays that communication is in progress and that communication reservations can be accepted.

  120: The line buffer is. This is a line buffer used when image data transfer control is performed.

  121: The print buffer is a buffer memory for one page for storing the character code for printing.

  122: The printer is a printer such as an LBP that records received images and file data on plain paper, and can perform double-sided recording.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a line control circuit during standby in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The arrow line A in FIG. 2 indicates the state of the line control circuit connected during the number display / modem dial-in standby. A solid line indicates a state where a voltage is applied, and a broken line indicates a state where a signal from the line can be detected. When waiting for number display / modem dial-in, the semiconductor NCU is connected through the CML relay. The information receiving terminal activation signal (CAR) and the calling signal (IR) from the line are detected using the CI detection function inside the semiconductor NCU. Further, the facsimile communication service call signal (1300 Hz) coming into the modem through the semiconductor NCU is detected using a tone detector having the modem. At the time of facsimile communication, a relay inside the semiconductor NCU is connected to form a DC loop from the telephone line to the modem to enter a call state.

  The arrow line B in FIG. 2 indicates the state of the line control circuit connected in the standby state other than the number display / modem dial-in standby state, the power off state, and the power saving standby state. It is connected to an external circuit for FC detection and CI detection through a CML relay. Information reception terminal activation signal (CAR) and call signal (IR) coming from the line are detected using the CI detection circuit, and facsimile communication service call signal (1300 Hz) is detected using the FC detection circuit. I do.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the state of the line control circuit during a call in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this state, the external telephone is in an off-hook state and forms a DC loop with the telephone line through the H relay. The CML relay is connected to the semiconductor NCU side so that a signal on the DC loop can be detected by the modem via the semiconductor NCU. When the external telephone is off-hooked after the incoming call and a CNG signal is detected from the partner transmitter, the connection state is such that a tone dial (DTMF signal) sent from the external telephone can be detected.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing standby processing in each reception mode in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication device returns to standby after communication and the like are completed when the power is turned on, when returning from standby from sleep (S1). When the standby mode is restored, the reception mode set in the communication device is determined (S2). If the modem dial-in / number display standby mode is set, the CML relay is turned on (S3) to connect the telephone line and the semiconductor NCU. Further, the relay (RA) in the semiconductor NCU that connects the telephone line and the modem is turned off (S4), so that the line is not captured. Through these processes, the communication apparatus can detect polarity reversal detection using the semiconductor NCU and information reception terminal activation signal (CAR) and paging signal (IR) when waiting for modem dial-in / number display. Further, the facsimile communication service call signal (1300 Hz) can be detected by the tone detector of the modem through the semiconductor NCU. On the other hand, by turning on the H relay (S5), it is possible to prevent the telephone from ringing even when the information receiving terminal activation signal (CAR) is received by disconnecting the handset and the external telephone from the telephone line. Next, when the tone detector filter setting in the modem for detecting the facsimile communication service calling signal (1300 Hz) at the time of waiting for the modem dial-in / number display and the relay (RA) in the semiconductor NCU are OFF, Sensitivity adjustment for proper operation of the tone detector is performed (S6), and a standby state (S7) is entered.

  When it is determined that the reception mode is the manual mode or the answering phone connection mode (S2), the CML relay is turned off (S8), the relay (RA) in the semiconductor NCU is turned off (S9), and the telephone line and external circuit are connected. The FC detection circuit and the CI detection circuit are connected. By these processes, the incoming call signal in the manual and answering machine connection modes can be detected by the CI detection circuit, and the facsimile communication service call signal (1300 Hz) can be detected by the FC detection circuit. In the manual / answering machine connection mode, a telephone such as a handset or an answering machine needs to ring with a ringing signal (IR), and the H relay is turned off (S10), the telephone line and the telephone are connected and in a standby state (S7). )

  When the reception mode is determined to be automatic reception (S2), the CML relay is turned off (S11), the relay (RA) in the semiconductor NCU is turned off (S12), and the FC detection circuit which is a telephone line and an external circuit And the CI detection circuit are connected. With these processes, the incoming call signal in the automatic reception mode can be detected by the CI detection circuit, and the facsimile communication service call signal (1300 Hz) can be detected by the FC detection circuit. In the automatic reception mode, it is determined whether or not the setting for prohibiting the ringing of the telephone at the time of incoming call is made (S13). When it is desired to ring the telephone when an incoming call is received, the H relay is turned off (S15), and the telephone is connected to the line.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing at the start of communication from each reception mode in the embodiment of the present invention.

  If the reception mode that has been operating at the start of communication (S21) is the modem dial-in / number display standby mode (S22), an incoming sequence at the time of modem dial-in / number display is performed. Detect polarity reversal before incoming (S23), detect information terminal activation signal (CAR) sent from the exchange (S24), turn on relay (RA) in semiconductor NCU (S25) In the case of the number display, the caller information is set to V. 23 modem signal is received (S26). V. After receiving the 23 modem signal, the DC loop break is answered as a reception completion signal by turning off the relay (RA) in the modem (S27). The ringing signal after the reception completion signal is detected using the incoming call detection function in the modem (S28), and the DC loop is turned on again (S29) as the secondary response signal. After the DC loop is formed, the reception sensitivity adjustment and voltage-current (VI) adjustment are performed using the semiconductor NCU (S30), and the communication state (S31) is entered.

  If the reception mode in operation is the manual / answering machine mode (S22) at the start of communication (the answering machine is an answering machine etc.) (S21), the communication terminal performs signal monitoring for switching to the facsimile. There must be. The CML relay is turned on (S32) and the relay (RA) in the semiconductor NCU is turned off (S33) so that the CNG signal and the tone dial signal are detected by the modem through the CML relay and the semiconductor NCU. Detection setting and sensitivity adjustment (S34) for CNG detection and tone dial detection are performed, and the flow shifts to a communication state (S31).

  If the reception mode that was operating at the start of communication (S21) is the automatic reception mode (S22), the communication terminal performs facsimile communication. In order to receive the facsimile signal coming from the line by the modem, the CML relay is turned on (S35), and the relay (RA) in the semiconductor NCU is turned on (S36). Detection setting and sensitivity adjustment (S37) for facsimile communication are performed, and the flow shifts to a communication state (S31).

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the line control circuit at the time of the standby in the Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the line | wire control circuit at the time of remote reception in the Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows the standby process of each receiving mode in the Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of the communication start from each receiving mode in the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Storage memory (image memory)
105 Resolution Conversion Processing Unit 106 Reading / Recording Coding Decoding Processing Unit 107 Clock Unit 108, 109 Modem 110 Line Control Unit 1 (NCU)
111 Line control unit 2 (NCU)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 Handset 113 External telephone 114,115 Line 116 Image processing part 117 Sheet scanner 118 Book scanner 119 Operation part 120 Line buffer 121 Print buffer 122 Printer

Claims (5)

In a communication apparatus having two line control circuits corresponding to one communication line and having a line control circuit switching means for switching between the two line control circuits connected to the communication line,
At the time of standby processing using a specific line service, it is provided with specific line service standby line control means for connecting one line control circuit by the line control circuit switching means and performing standby processing of signal detection processing, and does not use the specific line service A communication apparatus comprising a normal standby line control means for connecting the other line control circuit during standby processing and performing standby processing of signal detection processing.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the line control circuits is a semiconductor NCU located between a modem and a communication line, and the other of the line control circuits includes an incoming call detection circuit for detecting a call signal. A communication apparatus characterized by being an NCU.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific line service is a modem dial-in service or a number display service.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the information reception terminal activation signal (CAR) is detected during normal standby by the normal standby line control means, switching to the specific line service standby line control means is performed. Communication device.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the call signal is detected, the V.P. A communication apparatus characterized in that when a modem signal of 23 is detected, switching is made to a line control means during standby for a specific line service.

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