JP3534981B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device such as a facsimile device which communicates via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a communication device such as a facsimile device, it is necessary to adjust transmission characteristics at the time of installation so as to adapt to the state of a communication line to be used and perform good communication.

Conventionally, such adjustment of the transmission characteristics has been performed manually while confirming the communication status with another device using a measuring instrument or the like. Therefore, specialized knowledge is required to adjust the transmission characteristics, and the installation work must be performed by a service person. Also, when the quality of the communication line changes, a serviceman has to go out and readjust.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional communication apparatus, the adjustment of the transmission characteristics must be performed by a service person who has specialized knowledge, and it takes time and effort for installation and maintenance. There was a problem that was large.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to automatically adjust the transmission characteristics, thereby significantly reducing the labor required for installation and maintenance. It is to provide a communication device capable of performing.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises, for example, a modem, a transmission equalizer, an attenuator, a transmission amplifier, etc. for transmitting a signal to a connected communication line. A plurality of communication means for receiving a signal arriving via the transmission means and the connected communication line, and having at least one of the reception means including, for example, a reception amplifier, a filter and a reception equalizer, and In a communication device in which each communication unit is connectable to a communication network via a different communication line, when adjusting the transmission unit included in any one of the communication units, the transmission to be adjusted among the plurality of communication units And a receiver for adjustment, which is a receiving unit used for adjusting the adjustment target transmitting unit among the plurality of communication units. A test signal transmission control unit for transmitting a predetermined test signal to the adjustment target transmission unit in a state where another communication unit having the above is connected to each other by the communication network, and a control of the test signal transmission control unit. Reception state detection means for detecting the reception state of the test signal transmitted by the adjustment target transmission means below at the adjustment reception means,
Transmission characteristic adjustment for adjusting the transmission characteristics of the adjustment target transmission means based on the reception state detected by the reception state detection means, for example, by adjusting the number of links of the transmission equalizer and the gain of the attenuator And means.

By taking such means, when adjusting the transmitting means included in any of the communicating means, the adjusting means transmitting means which is the transmitting means to be adjusted among the plurality of communicating means is provided. And a state in which, of the plurality of communication units, another communication unit having an adjustment receiving unit that is a receiving unit used for adjusting the adjustment target transmitting unit is connected to each other by the communication network, A predetermined test signal is transmitted from the adjustment target transmission means, and the reception state of the test signal at the adjustment reception means is detected. Since the detected reception state is affected by the state of the communication line, the transmission characteristic of the adjustment target transmission means is adjusted by appropriately adjusting the transmission characteristic of the adjustment target transmission means based on the reception state. It can be automatically adjusted to suit the condition of the communication line.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a facsimile apparatus configured by applying the communication apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in this figure, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a scanner 4, a printer 5, an operation panel 6, a first modem 7, a first network control circuit (first NCU) 8, and a first network control circuit. Two modems 9 and a second network control circuit (second NCU) 10 are connected to each other via a system bus 11.

The CPU 1 realizes an operation as a facsimile apparatus by performing a control process for comprehensively controlling each part of the facsimile apparatus based on a control program stored in the ROM 2.

The ROM 2 stores the control program of the CPU 1 and the like.

The RAM 3 is for storing various kinds of information necessary for the CPU 1 to carry out various kinds of processing.

The scanner 4 generates image data by reading a transmission original, digitizing, various correction processing such as shading correction and dark correction, or redundancy compression coding processing.

The printer 5 prints the image represented by the image data on a recording sheet.

The operation panel 6 has a key input section for receiving various instruction inputs to the CPU 1 by the user, a display section for displaying various information to be notified to the user, and the like.

The first modem 7 modulates image data and control data and generates a facsimile transmission signal and a control signal to be sent to the first communication line C-1 accommodated in the subscriber telephone network NT. It is a thing. Also, the first modem 7
It demodulates the facsimile transmission signals and control signals that arrive via the communication line C-1, and reproduces image data and control data.

The first NCU 8 monitors the state of the first communication line C-1 and makes a call to the network. The first NCU 8 is intended to equalize the facsimile transmission signal sent to the first communication line C-1 and set the level.

The second modem 9 modulates the image data and the control data and generates a facsimile transmission signal and a control signal to be sent to the second communication line C-2 accommodated in the subscriber telephone network NT. It is a thing. The second modem 9 is the second
It demodulates facsimile transmission signals and control signals that arrive via the communication line C-2 to reproduce image data and control data.

The second NCU 10 monitors the state of the second communication line C-2 and makes a call to the network. Further, the second NCU 10 attempts to equalize the facsimile transmission signal sent to the second communication line C-2, and
It sets the level.

The control means realized by the CPU 1 operating on the basis of the control program stored in the ROM 2 is, in addition to the well-known general one in the facsimile machine, the test signal transmission control means 1a and the reception state detection. It has means 1b and transmission characteristic adjusting means 1c.

Here, the test signal transmission control means 1a uses the first Nth signal to adjust the transmission characteristic of the facsimile transmission signal.
When adjusting the settings of the CU 8 or the second NCU 10, the NCU to be adjusted (hereinafter referred to as the NCU to be adjusted)
To transmit a predetermined test signal. The reception state detecting means 1b is an NCU different from the adjustment target NCU.
NC to be adjusted in (hereinafter referred to as non-adjusted NCU)
It is for detecting the reception state of the test signal transmitted by U. Then, the transmission characteristic adjusting means 1c adjusts the setting of the NCU to be adjusted based on the detection result of the receiving state detecting means 1b.

FIG. 2 shows a first NCU 8 and a second NCU 10.
3 is a functional block diagram showing a specific configuration of a main part in FIG. Since the first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10 have the same configuration, only one configuration is shown, and the description will be given simply by referring to them as NCUs 8 and 9.

As shown in this figure, the NCUs 8 and 10 include a transmission equalizer 20, an attenuator 21, a transmission amplifier 22, a line transformer 23, a CML relay 24, a communication connector 25, a reception amplifier 26, a filter 27, and reception equalization. It has a container 28, a CI detection unit 29, and an interface unit 30.

The signals output from the first modem 7 or the second modem 9 (herein referred to as modems 7 and 9) are equalized by the transmission equalizer 20, and the transmission level is set by the attenuator 21. To the communication connector 25 via the line transformer 23 and the CML relay 24 after being attenuated in order to be amplified by the transmission buffer 22 (the first communication line C-1 or the second communication line C-1). Communication line C-
2) is sent to. On the other hand, the signal arriving via the communication line is given to the receiving amplifier 26 via the CML relay 24 and the line transformer 23. Then, this signal is amplified by the reception amplifier 26, the noise outside the voice band is removed by the filter 27, and the reception equalizer 2
The data is shaped by being equalized in 8 and then given to the modems 7 and 9.

The CI detection unit 29 monitors arrival of a CI signal given from the network side via the communication line at the time of an incoming call, and
When the I signal is detected, the fact is notified to the CPU 1 via the interface unit 30.

The CML relay 24 closes and opens the line, and its state is controlled by the CPU 1 via the interface unit 30.

Further, the transmission equalizer 20 and the reception equalizer 28
The number of links and the gains of the attenuator 21 and the reception amplifier 26 are variable, and are set by the CPU 1 via the interface unit 30.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described. Since the operation related to normal facsimile transmission / reception is the same as that of a conventional facsimile apparatus, the description thereof will be omitted. Here, the transmission characteristic adjustment processing by the first NCU 8 or the second NCU 10 will be described.

In a state in which communication is not being performed, the CPU 1 is instructed to execute the adjustment processing of the transmission characteristics by either the first NCU 8 or the second NCU 10 by a predetermined instruction operation on the operation panel 6 as shown in FIG. The transmission characteristic adjustment processing as shown in (3) is started. The transmission characteristic adjustment processing is executed by the test signal transmission control means 1a, the reception state detection means 1b, and the transmission characteristic adjustment means 1c working together.

In this transmission characteristic adjustment processing, the CPU 1 firstly makes an NCU whose transmission characteristic is to be adjusted (adjustment target NCU).
Call the telephone number corresponding to the other NCU (non-coordinated NCU). Specifically, for example, the first NCU8
Is designated as the NCU to be adjusted, a call is made using the telephone number set in the second communication line C-2 to which the first NCU 8 to the second NCU 10 are connected. As the telephone number used for this call, the own station number registered in advance by the user and stored in the RAM 3 is used.

Then, the CPU 1 waits for the CI signal to be detected by the CI detection unit 29 of the non-adjusted NCU (step ST2), and when the CI signal is detected from the CI detection unit 29 of the non-adjusted NCU. , Unadjusted NCU C
The ML relay 24 is driven to close the line (step S
T3). As a result, a communication link is established between the first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10 via the subscriber telephone network NT.

Subsequently, the CPU 1 changes and sets the reception sensitivity of the non-adjusted NCU to -20 dBm from the normal -43 dBm by controlling the gain of the reception amplifier 26 (step ST4). This is because the return level at the own station is large because the input level from the communication line is large, and if adjustment is made in that state, it may not be possible to receive a small level signal from a long distance. This is for taking.

Next, the CPU 1 determines the frequency F of the test signal.
, A plurality of candidate frequencies (for example, 462 Hz, 800 H
z, 1100Hz, 1650Hz, 1850Hz, 21
00 Hz and 3000 Hz) is set to a predetermined initial value (for example, 462 Hz) (step ST5), the transmission equalizer 20 is set to 0 link (EQL = 0), and the gain ATT of the attenuator 21 of the NCU to be adjusted is set. 15 dB
Is set (step ST6).

Then, in this state, the CPU 1 makes the adjustment target N
The modem connected to the CU is set to start transmitting a tone signal (test signal) of frequency F, and the adjustment target NCU starts transmitting a test signal (step ST7). At this time, the test signal is sent from the NCU to be adjusted to the communication line at about -16 dBm.

Now, the test signal sent from the NCU to be adjusted reaches the non-adjusted NCU via the subscriber telephone network NT, and the CML relay 24, the line transformer 23, the receiving amplifier 26, the filter 27 and the receiving equalizer. Through 28
Provided to the modem connected to this unregulated NCU. Therefore, the CPU 1 checks the data output by the modem connected to the non-adjustment NCU, and determines whether it corresponds to the test signal of the frequency F,
The non-adjustment NCU side judges whether or not the test signal is normally received (step ST8).

When the test signal is not normally received on the non-adjusted NCU side, the CPU 1 sets the gain ATT of the attenuator 21 of the NCU to be adjusted to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the previous value. Is updated and set (step ST9).
Next, it is determined whether or not the updated gain ATT has become "0" (step ST10), and if the gain ATT has not become "0", the processing from step ST8 is repeated.

When the test signal can be normally received on the non-adjusted NCU side or the gain ATT becomes "0", the CPU 1 stops the transmission of the test signal from the NCU to be adjusted (step ST11). The value of the gain ATT set in the attenuator 21 of the NCU to be adjusted at that time is associated with the frequency F and stored in the RAM as information such as "F = 462 Hz is acceptable with ATT = 15 dB" (step ST12). ).

Subsequently, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the frequency F is the final value (step ST13), and if it is not the final value, sets the frequency F to the next frequency among the candidate frequencies for communication setting (step ST13). ST14), and the processes after step ST6 are repeated. Thus, for each of the candidate frequencies, the gain ATT of the attenuator 21 of the adjustment target NCU that enables reception of the test signal of that frequency is measured.

When the processing using the test signals of all the candidate frequencies is completed and it is determined in step ST13 that the frequency F is the final value, the CPU 1 does not adjust N
The receiving sensitivity of the CU is changed and set so as to return to the normal −43 dBm by controlling the gain of the receiving amplifier 26 (step ST15). After that, the CPU 1 sets the number of links EQL of the transmission equalizer 20 of the NCU to be adjusted and the gain of the attenuator 21 based on the above inspection result (relationship between each test signal frequency and required gain ATT) ( Step ST16). Specifically, the gain ATT of the attenuator 21 is set to the maximum value at which an 800 Hz test signal can be normally received. Also, the number of links EQL of the transmission equalizer 20
Is larger as the level difference between the low frequency and the higher frequency that can be received is larger. The number of links EQL of the reception equalizer 28 is set to the same value as the number of links EQL of the transmission equalizer 20.

The first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10
If the adjustment of both transmission characteristics is specified, the adjustment target NCU and the non-adjustment NCU are exchanged after the above processing is completed, and the same processing as described above is executed again.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a communication link is formed between the first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10 which it owns via the subscriber telephone network NT, and one of the first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10 is adjusted. Target NCU
To sequentially output a plurality of types of test signals having different frequencies. In this way, the transmission characteristic of the adjustment target NCU is measured for each test signal so that the test signal transmitted from the adjustment target NCU can be normally received by the non-adjustment NCU which is the other of the first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10. Then, based on this measurement result, the NC to be adjusted
Properly set the transmission characteristics at U.

Therefore, the communication characteristics can be automatically set by the device itself in consideration of the state of the communication line, and it is not necessary for a service person to intervene in the work. As a result, the labor required for adjusting the communication characteristics of the first NCU 8 and the second NCU 10 is significantly reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is described by being applied to a facsimile apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to a communication apparatus other than a facsimile.

In the above embodiment, the transmission characteristic adjustment process is started in response to the execution designation by the user. However, the start timing of the transmission characteristic adjustment process is, for example, self-registration and the telephone number of each communication line. It may be arbitrary, such as after registration is made or when the frequency of communication errors increases.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the subscriber telephone network NT is connected via two communication lines, and the communication system has two communication systems (NCU and modem). The present invention can be applied to a device having a communication system of a system or more.

Further, each communication system does not have to have both a transmission system and a reception system, but the entire device has at least one transmission system and reception system connected to mutually different communication lines. The present invention can be applied to any device.

When the transmission characteristic is set manually, the setting may be prioritized.

Besides, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0050]

According to the present invention, at least one of a transmitting means for transmitting a signal to a connected communication line and a receiving means for receiving a signal arriving via the connected communication line is provided. In a communication device having a plurality of communication means, each communication means being connectable to a communication network via a different communication line, the plurality of communication means is used when adjusting the transmission means included in any one of the communication means. Among the means, one having an adjustment target transmission means which is a transmission means to be adjusted, and an adjustment reception means which is a reception means used for adjustment of the adjustment target transmission means among the plurality of communication means, Test signal transmission control means for transmitting a predetermined test signal to the adjustment target transmission means in a state in which another communication means having the same is connected to each other by the communication network, and the test signal transmission control means. Under the control of the signal transmission control means, a reception state detection means for detecting the reception state of the test signal transmitted by the adjustment target transmission means in the adjustment reception means, and a reception state detected by the reception state detection means. Based on the above, since the transmission characteristic adjusting means for adjusting the transmission characteristic of the adjustment target transmitting means is provided, the transmission characteristic can be automatically adjusted, and the labor required for installation and maintenance can be significantly reduced. It becomes a communication device that can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main part configuration of a facsimile device configured by applying a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a specific configuration of essential parts of a first NCU 8 and a second NCU 10 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU 1 in transmission characteristic adjustment processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU 1a ... Test signal transmission control means 1b ... Reception state detecting means 1c ... Transmission characteristic adjusting means 2 ... ROM 3 ... RAM 4 ... Scanner 5 ... Printer 6 ... Operation panel 7 ... First modem 8 ... First network control circuit (first NCU) 9 ... Second modem 10 ... Second network control circuit (second NCU) 11 ... System bus 20 ... Transmit equalizer 21 ... Attenuator 22 ... Transmission amplifier 23 ... Line transformer 24 ... CML relay 25 ... Communication connector 26 ... Receiving amplifier 27 ... Filter 28 ... Reception equalizer 29 ... CI detector 30 ... Interface part

Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/32-1/36 H04N 1/42-1/44 H04B 3/46

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of communication means having at least one of a transmitting means for transmitting a signal to a connected communication line and a receiving means for receiving a signal arriving via the connected communication line. In the communication device, wherein each of the communication means can be connected to a communication network through a different communication line, when adjusting the transmission means included in any of the communication means,
Among the plurality of communication units, a unit having an adjustment target transmission unit that is a transmission unit that is an adjustment target, and an adjustment that is a reception unit used for adjusting the adjustment target transmission unit of the plurality of communication units in a state connected to one another by another communication means and said communication network having a use receiving means, wherein
Adjust the receiving sensitivity of the adjustment receiving means from the receiving sensitivity during normal use.
And a test signal transmission control means for transmitting a predetermined test signal to the adjustment target transmission means, and for adjusting the test signal transmitted by the adjustment target transmission means under the control of the test signal transmission control means. A reception state detecting means for detecting the reception state of the receiving means; and a transmission characteristic adjusting means for adjusting the transmission characteristic of the adjustment target transmitting means based on the reception state detected by the reception state detecting means. A communication device characterized by. 2. The transmission means has a transmission equalizer for equalizing a signal sent to a communication line and an attenuator for setting the level of a signal sent to a communication line. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission characteristic adjusting unit adjusts the transmission characteristic of the adjustment target transmitting unit by adjusting the number of links of the transmission equalizer and the gain of the attenuator. .