JP3692695B2 - Communication device and parent device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a technical field of a wireless communication apparatus that performs communication according to a predetermined spread code by a spread spectrum method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, in a communication system using the spread spectrum communication method, a communication method based on a frequency hopping method (hereinafter referred to as FH method) is used in order to effectively use a frequency and improve confidentiality. The FH system performs spreading by hopping a carrier according to a rule predetermined by a spreading code sequence. A transmission / reception apparatus in a conventional bidirectional communication system using a spread spectrum communication system based on the FH system is configured, for example, as shown in FIG.
[0003]
  First, when transmission is performed, a signal with a random frequency is output from the frequency synthesizer 206 in accordance with the spreading code sequence output from the spreading code sequence generator 205. On the other hand, the primary modulation signal is input to the transmission data input terminal 220, and the output frequency of the primary modulation signal is determined by the up-converter 203 based on the output from the frequency synthesizer 206. The transmission data frequency-converted by the up-converter 203 is amplified by the amplifier 208, and then transmitted from the antenna 211 via the duplexer 210.
[0004]
  Next, when reception is performed, the signal received by the antenna 211 is separated from the transmission wave by the duplexer 210, amplified by the amplifier 209, and then input to the down converter 207. Then, the frequency is converted by the down converter 207 based on the signal designating the frequency from the frequency synthesizer 206, and demodulated by the demodulator 212 to be received data. The received data is output to a data operation circuit (not shown) and also output to the synchronization circuit 204. The synchronization circuit 204 detects the phase of the hopping frequency from the received signal, and outputs the synchronization signal from the synchronization circuit 204 to the spreading code sequence generator 5. The spreading code sequence generator 205 outputs a spreading code sequence according to the input synchronization signal. The spreading code sequence output from the spreading code sequence generator 5 is supplied to the frequency synthesizer 206, and the frequency synthesizer 206 is input. A random frequency output is generated according to the spread code sequence.
[0005]
  The down converter 207 despreads the received signal by multiplying the received signal by the output from the frequency synthesizer 206. The despread signal despread in the down converter 207 is demodulated by the demodulator 212, and the demodulated reception data is output from the reception data output terminal 221.
[0006]
  Two-way communication is performed by simultaneously operating the transmission unit and the reception unit as described above.
[0007]
  In addition, the random frequency means that the spreading code that is output every time a synchronization signal is input from the spreading code generator 205 changes randomly.ThisThis transmission code sequence (frequency hopping pattern) is shared between a pair of communication devices, and transmission / reception is performed.
[0008]
  As a specific example of a device using such a communication method, a device having both a facsimile function and a printer function is used as a parent device, a data terminal such as a personal computer is used as a child device, and between the parent device and the child device. A communication system using the communication method is used.
[0009]
  According to this apparatus, the master unit can be used as a printer by causing the master unit to print out data transmitted from a slave unit such as a personal computer, and facsimile data is transmitted from an outside line. The master device can be used as a facsimile device by receiving and outputting the data in the master device.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in the conventional apparatus, when facsimile data is transmitted from an external line while the master unit receives data from a slave unit such as a personal computer and performs print output, the printer unit has already been transmitted. Since it is used, the external facsimile apparatus that has transmitted the facsimile data enters a standby state, and further, an error occurs due to a time-out, and normal reception cannot be performed in the master unit.
[0011]
  Therefore, when facsimile data is received during print output, it is conceivable to temporarily interrupt the print output and preferentially output the facsimile data.
[0012]
  However, such a method has a problem that the data transfer rate from the slave unit to the master unit is temporarily reduced, and high-speed print output cannot be performed.
[0013]
  In particular, when spread spectrum digital communication such as the frequency hopping method as described above is performed between the master unit and the slave unit, the frequency used for communication and the switching timing should be matched with each other. It is preferable to prioritize communication processing between the master unit and the slave unit.
[0014]
  In addition, there are many facsimile data that do not necessarily need to be output, and if the necessary print output is interrupted by the output of the facsimile data that is not required by the user, the device becomes inconvenient. .
[0015]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In a communication apparatus that has at least a facsimile function and a printer function and performs spectrum spread digital communication, facsimile transmission from an outside line occurs during print output by the communication. Even in such a case, it is an object to provide a communication apparatus that can normally receive the facsimile transmission data and can also perform print output normally.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The communication device according to claim 1 is at least one.,A base unit connected to an external communication line, and at least one base unit connected to the wireless communication line by a frequency hopping method,Non-voice datahandleWith the handset,At least one slave unit handling voice data connected to the base station and a wireless communication line by a frequency hopping method;The master unit is connected to the external communication line.Audio data and non-audio dataExternal communication line transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data and data to be transmitted / receivedWhether the data is audio data or non-audio dataData type determining means for determining the type of theBetween the slave unit handling non-speech data and the slave unit handling the speech data, both the non-speech data and the speech data are transmitted within one frame, which is one unit of transmission / reception, and a slot for speech data and non-speech. By time division processing divided into data slotsAccording to the base-side wireless transmission / reception means for wireless transmission / reception by frequency hopping method, and the data type determined by the data type determination meansSlot allocating means for allocating the audio data slot and the non-audio data slot;The handset includes:Frequency hopping method by time division processing in which at least one of the voice data and the non-voice data is synchronized with the radio transmission / reception timing of the master unit or another slave unit between the master unit or another slave unit Wireless transmission / reception means on the handset that performs wireless transmission / reception withIt is characterized by having.
[0017]
  According to the communication device of claim 1,Audio data and non-audio dataAre transmitted / received by the external communication line transmitting / receiving means of the parent device through the external communication line, and the data type is determined by the data type determining means before transmission from the parent device or after reception by the parent device. And according to the data type discriminated by the data type discriminating meansA process of assigning a slot for voice data and a slot for non-voice data is performed by the slot assigning means, and the non-voice data and the voice data are transmitted between the slave unit handling non-voice data and the slave unit handling voice data. The base unit side wireless transmission / reception means and the slave unit side wireless transmission / reception are performed in a frequency hopping manner by time division processing in which one frame which is a unit of transmission / reception is divided into a slot for voice data and a slot for non-voice data By means of wireless transmission / reception.
[0018]
[0019]
  Since the wireless communication between the parent device and the child device is performed by the frequency hopping method by the parent device side wireless transmission / reception means and the child device side wireless transmission / reception means, confidentiality and frequency utilization efficiency are improved. Furthermore, since the transfer request can be made at any time as needed, even when non-voice data is received from the external communication line during data transfer from the slave unit to the master unit, the slave unit and the master unit The data transfer rate to and from is not reduced.Further, the non-voice data and the voice data received at the master unit are divided into a slot for voice data and a slot for non-speech data within one frame which is one unit of transmission / reception between the master unit and the slave unit. Since the wireless transmission / reception is performed by the frequency hopping method based on the divided time-sharing process, the above-described method with high confidentiality and high frequency utilization efficiency is performed simultaneously with the transfer of the non-voice data as described above. Communication will be performed efficiently.
[0020]
  The communication device according to claim 2 is the communication device according to claim 1,When non-voice data is received by the external communication line transmission / reception means via the external communication line and storage means for storing non-voice data received via the external communication line or the wireless communication line, Communication control means for storing communication information received together with the voice data and the non-voice data in the storage means;The communication control unit extracts a source telephone number of the non-voice data from the communication information and stores it in the storage unit, and extracts a source name corresponding to the source telephone number stored in advance. The information is stored in correspondence with the caller telephone number.
[0021]
  According to the communication device of claim 2,The non-voice data received in the master unit is stored in the storage unit by the communication control unit together with the communication information, and the transfer request of the non-speech data stored in the storage unit is transmitted from the slave unit side. At least non-voice data is transferred from the machine to the child machine. further,The communication control means extracts the source telephone number of the non-voice data from the communication information and stores it in the storage means. At this time, the outgoing call corresponding to the source telephone number stored in advance is stored. The original name is stored in association with the extracted caller telephone number. Therefore, the sender can be easily confirmed.
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
  Claim3The communication device according to claim1 or 2In the communication device described inStorage means for storing non-voice data received via the external communication line or the wireless communication line; A communication control means for storing the non-voice data and the communication information received together with the non-voice data in the storage means when the non-voice data is received by the external communication line transmitting / receiving means via the external communication line; ,Image forming means for forming an image based on image dataWhenThe communication control means transfers the stored image data as non-speech data to the image forming means on the basis of a request from the slave unit to perform image formation.
[0027]
  Claim3According to the communication device described in the above, the image data stored in the storage unit is not only transferred to the slave unit on the basis of a request from the slave unit, but also formed and output by the image forming unit in the master unit. Is done. Therefore, diversification and optimization of information acquisition according to the user's request can be achieved.
[0028]
5. The parent device according to claim 4, wherein at least one parent device connected to an external communication line and at least one child device that handles non-voice data connected to the wireless communication line by frequency hopping with the parent device. And a master unit included in a communication device that includes at least one slave unit that handles voice data and that is connected to a radio communication line by the base unit and a frequency hopping method. External communication line transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data and non-voice data; data type determining means for determining whether the data to be transmitted / received is voice data or non-voice data; a slave unit handling the non-voice data; The non-voice data and the voice data are both sent and received within one frame, which is one unit of transmission and reception, with the handset that handles the voice data. Wireless transmission / reception means for wireless transmission / reception by a frequency hopping method by time division processing divided into a slot for non-voice data and a slot for non-voice data, and the voice according to the data type determined by the data type determination means Slot allocating means for performing a process of allocating a slot for data and the slot for non-voice data.
[0029]
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a master unit and a slave unit constituting a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire communication device according to this embodiment.
[0031]
  As shown in FIG. 2, the communication apparatus according to this embodiment includes a master unit 1 wired to a general commercial analog telephone line, and four voice terminals that are wirelessly connected to the master unit 1 by a frequency hopping method. It is comprised from the machine 20A-20D and the four data terminal subunit | mobile_units 40A-40D.
[0032]
  First, the configuration of base unit 1 will be described. The master unit 1 is a multi-function device having a scanner function, a facsimile function, a print function, and a master-slave phone function. As shown in FIG. 1A, an NCU (Network Control Unit) for controlling an external analog telephone line. 2) voice codecs 3a and 3b as data conversion means for digitally encoding voice data, and a modem 5 as data conversion means having a facsimile transmission / reception function and a personal computer communication data transmission / reception function; A transmitter / receiver 6 as a base unit side wireless transmitter / receiver for performing frequency hopping wireless communication to be described later with the slave unit, an image reading block 7 composed of a scanner and the like, and an image on a recording material An image output block 8 as image forming means to be formed, and a handset 9 for performing an external line call or an internal line call from the master unit 1 , A means for controlling each of these means or devices, an external communication line transmission / reception means, a data type discrimination means, a communication control means, a transfer destination setting means, and a master side switching control means, and the CPU 10 A ROM 11 that stores a program or data to be operated, and a RAM 12 that temporarily stores arithmetic processing data and the like during operation of the CPU 10 are provided.
[0033]
  The apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a communication memory 13 as a storage unit that stores incoming facsimile images and index information.
[0034]
  Note that an operation unit including a switch for operating the parent device 1 is not shown. In FIG. 1A, a solid line connecting each means and device represents a control line, and a dotted line represents a data line.
[0035]
  Next, the configuration of each means and apparatus that constitutes the above master unit 1 will be described in detail.
[0036]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the NCU 2 for performing outside line control(1), Outside line(2), Outside line(3)And outside lines(4)Are connected to any one of the voice codecs 3a and 3b or the modem 5 under the control of the CPU 10.
[0037]
  The audio codecs 3a and 3b are means for analog-to-digital conversion of audio data under the control of the CPU 10, and convert audio data digitally encoded from the slave units 20A to 20D to analog data, or the CPU 10 In order to transmit the analog voice data received from the handset 9 via the NCU 2 from the external line to the slave units 20A to 20D, digital coding is performed.
[0038]
  The modem 5 realizes terminal characteristics and transmission procedures that adopt class 2 (EIA-592), which is currently established as a FAX modem, and performs data compression encoding by the MH (Modified Huffman) method and the like. Data transmission / reception with the telephone line network is performed at the transmission speed. It also has a block that converts or reversely converts it into a data format suitable for wireless transmission and reception.
[0039]
  A detailed configuration of the transmitter / receiver 6 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission / reception device 6 includes a hop frequency data generation unit 31 that generates hop frequency data used for switching frequencies in a predetermined hopping pattern, and hop frequency data provided from the hop frequency data generation unit 31. And a communication unit 32 that spreads an input signal into a transmission signal and despreads a reception signal into an output signal.
[0040]
  The hop frequency data generation unit 31 includes a frame counter 34 that is incremented every time an output signal from the clock 33 is input, a hopping counter 35 that is incremented every time a hopping start signal is input from the frame counter 34, The hop frequency data is read out from the hopping table 36 in accordance with the input value from the hopping counter 35 that sequentially changes, and the hop frequency data is generated as an output signal. . The frame counter 34, the hopping counter 35, and the hopping table 36 may be configured as separate units as described above, but can be replaced with calculations performed by the CPU 10..
  Further, when the hop frequency data is given from the hop frequency data generating unit 31, the communication unit 32 receives the oscillation frequency f corresponding to the hop frequency data._NFrequency synthesizer 37 that oscillates at ′, and the oscillation frequency f from the frequency synthesizer 37_N'And the data from the voice codec 3a, 3b or the modem 5 are modulated by the modulator 54, and the frequency f_1FAre transmitted by the up-converter 38 and the frequency f output from the up-converter 38 is mixed._NThe transmission signal is amplified by the amplifier 39, and the signal is transmitted from the antenna 6a via the duplexer 50. On the other hand, the frequency f received by the antenna 6a._NIs input to the amplifier 51 via the duplexer 50 and amplified, and the frequency f_NAnd the oscillation frequency f from the frequency synthesizer 37_N'Is mixed by the down converter 52, and the frequency f_1FThe received output signal is generated.
[0041]
  The frequency f_1FAfter being demodulated by the demodulator 55, the received output signal is output to the audio codecs 3a, 3b, 3c or the modem 5 shown in FIG. The synchronization circuit 53 detects the phase of the hopping frequency from the received output signal, and the synchronization circuit 53 outputs the synchronization signal to the hopping counter 35. The hopping counter 35 performs output to the hopping table 36 according to the input synchronization signal, hop frequency data is read from the hopping table 36, and the hop frequency data is generated as an output signal.
[0042]
  FIG. 4 shows an example of hop frequency switching by the transmission / reception apparatus 6 as described above. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the hop frequency is switched every period T.
[0043]
  In the present embodiment, a hopping frequency data string as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, three different hopping frequency data sequences of channels 1, 2, and 3 are used, and the contents of frequency data constituting each frequency data sequence are different from each other. Therefore, for example, even if channel 1 is used for communication between the parent device and the child device, channel 2 can be used for communication between the child devices, and channel 3 can be used for communication between other child devices. Simultaneous communication between multiple devices is possible by channelization.
[0044]
  Next, the image reading block 7 is provided with image reading means such as a scanner. Image data read by the image reading means is temporarily stored in the buffer 7a, and the image output block 8 described below is controlled by the CPU 10. The image is output or transmitted to the outside line or the handset side via the modem 5.
[0045]
  The image output block 8 is means for outputting an image of data stored in the buffer 8a. The image output block 8 includes, for example, a means using a photosensitive drum using an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer means using a thermal head, or an inkjet head. It is comprised by the means etc. The data stored in the buffer 8a includes facsimile data received via an external line, image data transmitted from the slave units 40A to 40D, and image data read by the image reading block 7.
[0046]
  The handset 9 includes a microphone, a speaker, and the like (not shown), and enables an outside line call from the parent device 1 itself or an extension call to the child devices 20A to 20D.
[0047]
  The CPU 10 performs internal / external line communication control in response to a communication request from an external line or a slave unit, slot allocation control within one frame as one unit of communication, management of a communication control table, classification of data to be transmitted / received, and non-voice Storage of data and communication information in a communication memory, setting of a transfer destination, etc., external communication line transmission / reception means, data type determination means, communication control means, transfer destination setting means, and parent device side switching control means Function as. Details will be described later.
[0048]
  In addition to the program for operating the CPU 10, the ROM 11 stores a hardware allocation table and the like as a basis for creating a communication control table. The table will be described later.
[0049]
  The RAM 12 temporarily stores data used for arithmetic processing during the operation of the CPU 10 and stores a communication control table. The table will be described later.
[0050]
  The communication memory 13 serving as a storage means for storing non-voice data and communication information is composed of a semiconductor memory like the RAM 12, and has a capacity capable of storing a predetermined amount of image data and index information as communication information to be described later. have. As the communication memory 13, a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, or the like can be used.
[0051]
  The above is the configuration of each means and device of the base unit 1. Next, the structure of subunit | mobile_unit 20A-20D is demonstrated.
[0052]
  Slave units 20A to 20D are cordless telephones, and as shown in FIG. 1B, microphone 21A for inputting voice, speaker 22A for outputting voice, and analog input from microphone 21A An audio codec 24A as data generating means for converting audio data into digital audio data, converting the digital audio data into analog audio data and outputting the analog audio data to the speaker 22A, and a slave unit for transmitting and receiving data via the antenna 26A A transmission / reception device 25A as a side wireless transmission / reception means and a CPU 27A as a selection control means for controlling them are provided.
[0053]
  The microphone 21A and the speaker 22A are accommodated in the case of the cordless telephone so as to function as a transmitter and a receiver. The audio input from the microphone 21A is converted into an audio data signal by the audio codec 24A having the same configuration as that of the audio codec 3a, 3b of the parent device 1, and the frequency hopping method having the same configuration as that of the transmitting / receiving device 6 of the parent device 1. The signal is converted into a predetermined signal by the transmission / reception device 25A that transmits and receives the signal and transmitted from the antenna 26A. On the other hand, a predetermined signal received by the antenna 26A is extracted only by the transmitting / receiving device 25A, converted into an analog audio signal by the audio codec 24A, and output to the speaker 22A. The CPU 27A, like the CPU 10 of the parent device 1, performs slot allocation control, table management of the child devices, etc., which will be described in detail later. In addition, this structure is the same also about the subunit | mobile_unit 20B-20D.
[0054]
  Next, the configuration of the slave unit 40A will be described. The handset 40A is a data terminal that handles non-voice data such as a personal computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistants). As shown in FIG. 1C, the display device 41A using a liquid crystal or the like, various calculations or CPU 42A as a slave unit side switching control means for performing data processing and further data transmission / reception processing, ROM 43A storing a program or data for operating CPU 42A, arithmetic processing data during operation of CPU 42A, etc. For transmitting and receiving data by a frequency hopping method as will be described later between the RAM 44A for temporarily storing the data, the modem 45A having a data transmission / reception function, and the main unit 1 via the antenna 47A. A transmission / reception device 46A as a device-side wireless transmission / reception means. Note that an illustration of an operation unit including a switch or the like for operating the slave unit 40A is omitted. Moreover, it becomes the structure similar to the subunit | mobile_unit 40B-40D.
  The transmission / reception device 46A of the child device 40A has the same configuration as the transmission / reception device 6 of the parent device 1, and transmits and receives data by the frequency hopping method. Unlike the modem 5 of the master unit 1, the modem 45A is a block that converts a digital signal into a data format suitable for wireless transmission and reception, and a block that performs the inverse conversion. It is possible to read facsimile data and image data transmitted from an external line via the master unit 1, or to transmit facsimile data and image data created on the slave unit 40A via the master unit 1.
[0055]
  As shown in FIG. 2, the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment includes one master unit 1 as described above, four slave units 20A to 20D as voice data terminals, and four units as non-voice data terminals. The slave units 40A to 40D are provided and have the following functions.
[0056]
  a. External phone call using the handset 9 alone
  b. FAX transmission / reception by the master unit 1 using the image reading block 7 and the image output block 8
  c. An extension call between the main unit 1 and any one of the sub units 20A to 20D
  d. External phone calls via the master unit 1 by the slave units 20A to 20D
  e. Image output by the master unit 1 using the image output block 8 of the output data from the slave units 40A to 40D, or FAX transmission of the data via the master unit 1
  f. Data read by the slave unit 40A to 40D by the master unit 1 by the image reading block 7 or by FAX reception
  g. External line communication via the master unit 1 by the slave units 40A to 40D
  That is, the master unit 1 determines the type of data handled by the request or input in response to a communication request from each slave unit or an instruction input from the operation unit of the master unit 1 and uses it according to the data. The means or device or line in the parent device 1 is selected and appropriate communication processing is performed.
[0057]
  The types of data handled include voice data, FAX data, and personal computer communication data received via an external analog telephone line, and all these data are transmitted between the master unit 1 and each slave unit. Wireless transmission / reception will occur.
[0058]
  And in the communication apparatus of this embodiment, when performing frequency hopping bidirectional communication using TDD (Time Division Duplex) as described later, the audio data and non-audio data are mixed. In order to enable communication between the master unit and the slave unit, the type of data to be transmitted / received by dividing one frame, which is a unit of transmission / reception, into a slot for voice data and a slot for non-voice data Depending on the situation, the slot allocation process is performed.
[0059]
  FIG. 6 shows a frame configuration used in the present embodiment. The frame 70 used in the master unit 1 includes an occupied time slot 71, a voice terminal data reception slot 72 such as the slave units 20A to 20D, and a data terminal data transmission / reception slot 73 such as the slave units 40A to 40D. A voice terminal data transmission slot 74 is provided. On the other hand, the frame 80 used in the slave units 20A to 20D and 40A to 40D has substantially the same configuration as the frame 70, and includes an occupied time slot 81, a voice terminal data transmission slot 82, and data terminal data. A transmission / reception slot 83 and a voice terminal data reception slot 84 are provided.
[0060]
  These slots are managed based on the elapsed time when the transmission / reception start time is set to 0, and transmission / reception of audio data and non-audio data is performed by transmitting / receiving frames in units of such slots. Will be performed in a time-sharing manner. Since synchronization is established between the master unit and the slave unit so that the transmission / reception start timings of these frames coincide with each other, data can be transmitted / received between the master unit and the slave unit. ing.
[0061]
  Next, a specific example of transmission / reception processing when a frame having such a structure is used will be described.
[0062]
  First, when transmission / reception is started, since the occupied time slots 71 and 81 are in the period from 0 to t1, no data is transmitted / received between the parent device and the child device. The occupation time is a time for stabilization at the frequency after the hop in the frequency hopping method shown as the period t in FIG. 4, and in order to perform accurate data transmission / reception, any data transmission / reception until the occupation time ends. Is not done.
[0063]
  Next, the period from t1 to t2 is the voice data reception slot 72 for the voice terminal on the base unit side and the voice data transmission slot 82 for the voice terminal on the handset side. Any one of ˜20D transmits audio data during this period, and base unit 1 receives the audio data.
[0064]
  Next, since the period from t2 to t3 is the non-voice data transmission / reception slots 73 and 83 for the data terminal, for example, when there is transmission data from any of the slave terminals 40A to 40D for the data terminal, The transmission data is transmitted to the parent device 1 during this period, and the parent device 1 receives the data during this period. Similarly, when there is communication data from the outside through an external line, the base unit 1 transmits data to any of the handset units 40A to 40D during the non-voice data transmission / reception slot 73 for the data terminal. Any of the slave units 40A to 40D receives the data during this period.
[0065]
  Next, during the period from t3 to t4, the voice data transmission slot 74 for voice terminals is used on the parent device side, and the voice data reception slot 84 for voice terminals is used on the slave device side. When there is voice data transmitted from the slave unit in the slot 82 and responding to the voice data received by the master unit in the voice terminal voice data reception slot 72, the voice terminal voice data transmission slot At 74, the audio data is transmitted from the parent device 1, and the data is received by the child devices 20A to 20D during this period.
[0066]
  In this embodiment, since communication is performed using a frame constituted by a slot for voice data and a slot for non-voice data in this way, communication between one voice terminal slave unit and the master unit, and 1 Communication between the slave terminal for the data terminal and the master unit can be performed simultaneously.
[0067]
  In addition, since the frame counter 34 is incremented for each frame and the frequency is sequentially hopped, the frequency can be effectively used and the secrecy can be improved.
[0068]
  Furthermore, although the length of one frame shown in the period of 0 to t4 in FIG. 6 is fixed in this embodiment, the length of each slot is variable depending on the size of audio data or non-audio data, and efficient communication is possible. Is possible. For audio data, a transmission slot and a reception slot are always provided in one frame, so simultaneous bidirectional communication is possible. On the other hand, for non-voice data, it is considered that there is little need for simultaneous bi-directional communication, so either transmission or reception is performed within one slot. For this reason, the transmission / reception can be switched only at one of t2 and t3, and the control becomes simple.
[0069]
  Next, the data structure of the slot as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the voice terminal transmission / reception slot 90 includes a preamble 91, control data 92, a transmission-side terminal identification ID 93, a reception-side terminal identification ID 94, and audio data 95 including a correction code. In the present embodiment, audio data is transmitted / received without being compressed, but may be compressed by an audio codec in relation to the communication speed. Further, the correction code is not an essential component for the present invention.
[0070]
  The preamble 91 ensures that all components of the communication line are adjusted to an appropriate state so that subsequent data is transmitted without loss.
[0071]
  The control data 92 includes an in-slot data length and data identification information.
[0072]
  The in-slot data length is information for notifying the separation or interval of each slot, for example, the values at times t2, t3, and t4 shown in FIG. As described above, since the slot length is variable according to the data length, the receiving side refers to the data length in the slot included in the control data, so that the data can be received correctly without causing a synchronization shift. It can be carried out. Note that a time margin is taken into account between each slot in consideration of propagation delay.
[0073]
  The data identification information is information for identifying whether the data transmitted in this slot is the voice data or the non-voice data, the data for synchronization, or the control data. The data for synchronization is data transmitted at the time of acquisition of synchronization, which will be described later, and will be described in detail when explaining the acquisition of synchronization. The control data is data that informs a communication request or information such as permission or rejection for the request, and includes a FAX command and the like to be described later.
[0074]
  The transmission-side terminal identification ID 93 is an ID number added to each device on the transmission side. With this information, the receiving side can identify the transmitting side and the type of data to be transmitted.
[0075]
  The receiving side terminal identification ID 94 is an ID number added to each receiving side device. With this information, the receiving side can correctly select only the data transmitted to itself, and proper communication can be performed. Will be done.
[0076]
  The audio data 95 is data after being encoded by the audio codec as described above, and an error correction code is added thereto. This correction code is obtained by adding predetermined redundant bits to audio data to be transmitted by a predetermined error encoding method. For example, a BCH (Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem) code or an RS (Read-Solomon) code is used. The error correction coding used can be mentioned.
[0077]
  Next, the configuration of the transmission / reception slot 100 for data terminals is substantially the same as the configuration of the voice data transmission / reception slot for voice terminals, and includes a preamble 101, control data 102, transmission-side terminal identification ID 103, reception-side terminal identification ID 104, and It consists of data 105 to which an error correction code is added.
[0078]
  Among these, the control data 102 includes next transmission terminal information, unlike the control data 92 of the voice terminal voice data transmission / reception slot 90. This next transmission terminal information is information indicating which terminal will transmit data in the next frame. That is, as described above, since the slot for the data terminal is used only for transmission or reception for one frame, the transmission direction between communication devices is determined by the next terminal information. . Since data with a large amount of information, such as image information, is often transmitted unilaterally, for example, when transmitting image information from a slave unit to a master unit, the next transmission information is set in the slave unit while the slave unit is set. Keep sending from the machine.
[0079]
  Further, the communication between the parent device and the child device and the communication between the child device and the child device as described above must be synchronized with each device. Therefore, in the communication apparatus of this embodiment, the following synchronization acquisition process is performed. In this synchronous acquisition process, the master unit and the slave unit exchange transmission and reception at a control frequency that exists for a certain period of time, and the master unit sends the master unit to the slave unit registered in the master unit. Send data to check if it can be synchronized with.
[0080]
  FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the synchronization acquisition process. The master unit 1 transmits synchronization acquisition data to each slave unit by using the synchronization acquisition transmission frames 106 and 107. Each slave unit is a master unit. The response data is transmitted to the base unit 1 by the response frames 108a to 108h at the timing designated from 1.
[0081]
  In the synchronization acquisition transmission frame, a synchronization acquisition slot as shown in FIG. 9 is used. As shown in FIG. 9, the synchronization acquisition slot 110 transmitted from the parent device to the child device includes a preamble 111, control data 112, transmission-side terminal identification ID 113, reception-side terminal identification ID 114, and synchronization acquisition data 115. It consists of each data. The preamble 111, the control data 112, the transmission side terminal identification ID 113, and the reception side terminal identification ID 114 have the same configuration as that in the normal data transmission / reception slot shown in FIG.
[0082]
  However, in the synchronization acquisition data 115, the time for synchronization and information on the next channel and slot are transmitted. The time for synchronization is the transmission start time based on the transmission frame for acquisition of synchronization, and in FIG. 8, the times are t10, t20, t30, t40, t50, t60, t70, and t80.
[0083]
  The next channel refers to any of the channels shown in FIG. 5, and the next slot refers to the transmission timing within one frame. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, in the frame 108 where transmission starts from time t10, response data from the slave unit is transmitted at time t11. This time t11 corresponds to the “next slot”.
[0084]
  As described above, the response from each slave unit is performed by the response frames 108a to 108h as shown in FIG. 8, and the response slot 120 as shown in FIG. 9 is used in the response frame. As shown in FIG. 9, the response slot 120 transmitted from the slave unit to the master unit includes the preamble 121, the control data 122, the transmission side terminal identification ID 123, the reception side terminal identification ID 124, and the response data 125. It is composed of The preamble 121, the control data 122, the transmission side terminal identification ID 123, and the reception side terminal identification ID 124 have the same configuration as that in the normal data transmission / reception slot shown in FIG.
[0085]
  However, in the response data 125, information on the reception level, the communication partner terminal, the request channel, the request slot, and the current state is transmitted.
[0086]
  The reception level is information indicating whether or not the synchronization acquisition data from the base unit 1 has been normally received. The base unit 1 is information indicating that the reception level from the slave unit is good at the designated channel and timing. When it is received, it is determined that the slave unit has been synchronized.
[0087]
  The communication partner terminal is used when making a communication request to the outside in addition to the reception level information from the slave unit, and is not always transmitted. For example, it is information indicating an outside line, a parent device, another child device, and the like.
[0088]
  The request channel and slot are also used only when there is a communication request from the slave unit. Usually, the master unit 1 performs channel and slot assignment for the communication request from the slave unit, as will be described later. Therefore, it is not used in this embodiment.
[0089]
  The current status indicates what communication status the slave unit is currently in. “Waiting”, “During communication between slave unit and slave unit”, and “During communication between master unit and slave unit” There are various states.
[0090]
  Next, a specific example of the synchronization acquisition process using the frames and slots as described above will be described.
[0091]
  First, in the synchronization acquisition frame 106, the master unit 1 transmits synchronization acquisition data to all of the slave units 20A to 20D and the slave units 40A to 40D. In this transmission, the receiving side ID 114 in the synchronization acquisition slot 110 shown in FIG. 9 is further divided into a plurality of IDs for each slave unit, and the synchronization acquisition data 115 is also divided into a plurality. The acquisition data for each slave unit may be continuously transmitted. Alternatively, the receiving side ID 114 and the synchronization acquisition data 115 may be paired and the pair may be repeatedly transmitted for each slave unit. Alternatively, the synchronization common ID and common data may be transmitted instead of the individual ID of each slave unit.
[0092]
  The slave side that has received the transmission data from the base unit 1 side by the above method transmits information on whether or not the reception level is good by the response slot 120 at the time designated by the base unit 1. When there is a communication request from the child device side to the parent device side, the communication request is made at the time of this response. When there is no communication request, only the current state is transmitted.
[0093]
  Then, the master unit that has received the data in the slot 120 as described above from the slave unit determines that the synchronization is established if the reception level is good, and determines that the synchronization is not established if the reception level is negative. The communication control table to be described later is rewritten.
[0094]
  Further, when there is a communication request from the slave unit for the synchronized slave unit, a response to the slave unit is sent from the communication processing slot 130 shown in FIG. Do. The communication processing slot 130 includes a preamble 131, control data 132, a transmission side terminal identification ID 133, a reception side terminal identification ID 134, and communication processing data 135. The control data 132, the transmission side terminal identification ID 133, and the reception side terminal identification ID 134 are the same as those described above.
[0095]
  However, the communication processing data 135 includes permission / rejection information for the communication request from the slave unit and information on the next channel and slot.
[0096]
  The communication processing slot 130 transmits communication processing data to each slave unit in the transmission frame 107 shown in FIG. 8, thereby controlling communication between the slave unit and other devices. .
[0097]
  However, when the transmission data of the master unit 1 is disturbed as in the case of the slave unit 40D shown in FIG. 8, or the transmission data from the slave unit is disturbed as in the slave unit 20D, 2 In the transmission frame 107 for the second time, the base unit 1 repeats transmission by the synchronization acquisition slot 110 shown in FIG. 9 to the handset 20D and handset 40D.
[0098]
  On the other hand, the slave units 20D and 40D that do not receive the transmission signal from the master unit 1 monitor the control signal output by the master unit 1 without sending any transmission signal to the master unit 1. Therefore, when the disturbing state is resolved, the slave units 20D and 40D can communicate with each other.
[0099]
  Next, when there is a communication request from each slave unit, a communication request from an external line, or a call request by the handset of the master unit itself at the time of synchronization acquisition as described above, the voice codec 3a, 3b or modem The process of assigning each line to 5 or the process of assigning the voice data or non-voice data to each slot of the communication frame will be described.
[0100]
  In the present embodiment, the voice codecs 3a and 3b and the modem 5 cannot be connected to two lines at the same time, and the communication frame is assigned to only one device in each of the voice data slot and the data slot. Therefore, various allocation processes as described above are performed in accordance with the current communication status and the type of data to be transmitted / received.
[0101]
  Specifically, the CPU 10 of the base unit 1 manages the communication status, the connection status of each hardware, and the slot assignment in a table formed on the RAM 12 as shown in FIG.
[0102]
  The RAM 12 has a table area in addition to a FAX data storage area, a data storage area, and an audio memory storage area, and the table is stored in this table area.
[0103]
  FIG. 10A is an external line management table showing an external line connection state, and is divided into an area 140 indicating the type of external line and an area 141 indicating the connection state between external lines. Therefore, it is possible to grasp which hardware is connected to each external line by referring to the external line management table. In the state shown in FIG.(1)Is in IDLE, that is, in a standby state and is not used. Also outside line(2)Is connected to the voice codec 3a(3)Is connected to the modem 5 and the outside line(4)Is in IDLE, that is, in a standby state.
[0104]
  Next, FIG. 10B is a hardware management table showing what kind of data input / output terminals each hardware is connected to in the master unit, and an area 142 indicating the type of hardware and the control in the master unit. It is divided into a region 143 indicating the state.
[0105]
  Therefore, by referring to the hardware management table, it is possible to grasp what data input terminal each hardware is connected to. In the state shown in FIG. 10B, the voice codec 3a is connected to the slave unit 20A, the voice codec 3b is in IDLE, that is, in a standby state, and the modem 5 is connected to the image output block 8 and the slave unit 40A. I understand that.
[0106]
  Therefore, by referring to the above-described external line management table and hardware management table, the slave unit 20A can connect the external line via the voice codec 3a.(2)Is on the outside line(3)It can be seen that the FAX data received from the terminal is output to the image output block 8 in the parent device via the modem 5 and transmitted to the child device 40A.
[0107]
  Next, FIG. 10C is a communication control table for managing the communication status, slot allocation, used channel, and synchronization acquisition status of the master unit and the slave unit. The table includes an area 144 indicating a master unit and a slave unit, an area 145 indicating a communication partner terminal, an area 146 indicating an allocation status of a slot, an area 147 indicating a used frequency channel, and information on synchronization acquisition. And a region 148 indicating.
[0108]
  In the area 145 indicating the communication partner terminal, IDLE information indicating a state in which communication is not performed is stored in addition to the parent device 1, the child devices 20A to 20D, and the child devices 40A to 40D. In the case of an outside line call, information to that effect is also added. These pieces of information are rewritten based on the transmission-side ID data or the reception-side ID data in the above-described audio data or non-audio data slot. In the state shown in FIG. 10C, it can be seen that the master unit 1 is communicating with the slave unit 20A for the external line call of the slave unit 20A and is performing extension communication with the slave unit 40C. Further, regarding the slave unit 20A, the master unit 1, the slave unit 20B communicate with the slave unit 20C, and the slave unit 20C communicates with the slave unit 20B, and the slave unit 20D is in a communication standby state with IDLE. . Furthermore, the slave unit 40A communicates with the slave unit 40B, the slave unit 40B communicates with the slave unit 40A, the slave unit 40C communicates with the master unit 1, and the slave unit 40D is in a standby state. Understand.
[0109]
  In the area 146 indicating the slot allocation status, information indicating that the slot is a voice slot, a data slot, or a single slot is stored, and the communication between devices that can be specified by the areas 145 and 146 is determined. It shows what is done with different slots. When there is a communication request from an external line, these pieces of information are determined based on the type of call signal at that time, and when there is a communication request from the slave unit, the information is determined based on the type of the slave unit. Further, when there is a communication request from the parent device, it is determined whether the handset 9 is used or a FAX transmission / reception button (not shown) is used. Details will be described later. By referring to the contents of this area 146, the empty state of the slot can be known. In the example of FIG. 10C, the voice slot is allocated for communication between the slave unit 20A and the master unit 1 for an external call by the slave unit 20A, and the data slot is used for communication by the slave unit 40C. Therefore, it can be seen that the communication is assigned for communication between the slave device 40C and the master device 1. In addition, a single slot different from the communication slot between the master unit and the slave unit is assigned to the communication between the slave units by the slave unit 20B and the slave unit 20C. It can be seen that another single slot is assigned to the communication between the slave units.
[0110]
  An area 147 indicating the used frequency channel indicates which channel is allocated for communication between the devices. These pieces of information are determined and stored at the time of slot assignment processing described later. By referring to the contents of this area 147, the free state of the channel can be known. In the example of FIG. 10C, channel 1 is assigned to the communication between the parent device 1 and the child device 20A for the external call of the child device 20A, and channel 1 is also used for the extension communication between the child device 40C and the parent device 1. It can be seen that is assigned. The reason why communication is possible on the same channel is that the types of slots assigned to the slave unit 20A and the slave unit 40C are different. Further, channel 2 is assigned to the extension call between the slave unit 20B and the slave unit 20C, and channel 3 is assigned to the extension communication between the slave unit 40A and the slave unit 40B.
[0111]
  In the area 148 indicating information on synchronization acquisition, information indicating “good” is received when good reception level data can be received at a predetermined timing during the above-mentioned synchronization acquisition, and “x” is stored when reception is not possible. Is done. By referring to the contents of this area 148, it can be determined whether or not a communication permission signal can be transmitted to the child device that has issued the communication request.
[0112]
  By referring to the communication control table as described above, it is possible to grasp what kind of counterpart the master unit 1 and each slave unit are currently communicating with, and what kind of slot and channel. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine the slot and channel allocation for the device that requested the communication.
[0113]
  Hereinafter, communication processing including slot and channel assignment processing and FAX data processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 25 and the contents of the communication information of FIGS.
[0114]
  First, as shown in FIG. 1, there is no communication request from the child device (step S1; NO), there is no communication request from the handset of the parent device (step S3; NO), and there is no communication request from the outside line. In this case (step S5; NO), the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S6). This communication end monitoring process is shown in FIG. 14, and if communication is not currently being performed and the operation of the master unit alone is not being performed (step S60; NO to step S61; NO), the communication end monitoring process is again performed. The process proceeds to the communication process (step S62), and the presence / absence determination process of the communication request from each device is performed (steps S1 to S3 to S5) as shown in FIG.
[0115]
  Here, a case where there is a communication request from an outside line (step S1; NO to step S3; NO to step S5; YES) will be described. In this case, the CPU 10 connects the outside line and the voice codec 3a or 3b or the modem 5 to determine whether the data transmitted from the outside line is non-voice data such as FAX data or voice data, and transmits the transmission data. Import.
[0116]
  Therefore, it is determined by the hardware management table whether or not both of the audio codecs 3a and 3b are in use (step S8). If all the audio codecs are in use (step S8; YES), the same applies to the following. Whether the modem 5 is in use is determined using the hardware management table (step S9). As a result, when the modem 5 is also in use (step S9; YES), since transmission data cannot be captured, a signal for rejecting the communication request is transmitted to the external line (step S22), and communication end monitoring processing is performed. (Step S23).
[0117]
  However, if any of the voice codecs is usable (step S8; NO), the usable voice codec is connected to the outside line (step S16), and the contents of the outside line management table are rewritten (step S17). That is, information corresponding to the usable voice codec is stored in an area corresponding to an external line for which a communication request has been made in the area 141 of the external line management table. Then, the transmission data is fetched into the CPU 10 via the usable voice codec, the data is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not this data can be recognized as voice data (step S18). As a result, when it can be recognized as voice data (step S18; YES), the routine proceeds to voice data call processing (step S21). This call processing for voice data is shown in FIG. 12, and will be described later in detail.
[0118]
  On the other hand, if it cannot be recognized as voice data (step S18; NO), the voice codec connected to the outside line is released (step S19), and the area of the outside line management table rewritten earlier is rewritten to IDLE. However, since the transmission data is not voice data but may be FAX data or other communication data, it is next determined whether or not the modem 5 is in use (step S9). As described above, the determination process also proceeds when all the audio codecs are in use (step S8; YES). If the modem 5 can be used (step S9; NO), the modem 5 is connected to the outside line to establish a protocol (step S10), and the contents of the outside line management table are stored in the same manner as the voice codec. Rewrite (step S11). Next, the data taken in via the modem 5 is analyzed to determine whether or not it can be recognized as FAX data or other communication data (step S12). When the data cannot be recognized (step S12; NO) ) Releases the modem 5 (step S13), rewrites the contents of the previously rewritten external line management table to IDLE (step S14), transmits a request rejection signal for the external line (step S22), and proceeds to the communication end monitoring process. (Step S23).
[0119]
  However, if it can be recognized that the data is FAX data or other communication data (step S12; YES), the process proceeds to a non-voice data calling process (step S15). This non-voice data calling process is shown in FIG. 15, and will be described in detail later.
[0120]
  Next, the calling process for voice data (step S18; YES to step S21) when it is determined as voice data as a result of the analysis of the transmission data as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
[0121]
  First, in the case of audio data, it is determined based on the communication control table whether all the slave units are in use to call the slave unit (step S30). If all the slave units are in use, (Step S30; YES), whether or not the handset 9 of the parent device 1 is also being used is determined by a hook signal or the like in the parent device 1 (Step S42). If the handset 9 is also in use (step S42; YES), a signal for rejecting the communication request is transmitted to the outside line (step S43), and the voice codec previously connected to the outside line is released (step S43). In step S39), the corresponding part of the outside line management table is rewritten to IDLE (step S40), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S41).
[0122]
  On the other hand, if any of the slave units can be used (step S30; NO), it is determined whether or not the voice slot is usable (step S31). This is because the voice data received from the outside line is wirelessly transmitted to the slave unit through the voice slot to check whether or not the slave unit can make an external line call. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the voice slot is used based on the communication control table area 146. If the voice slot is used (step S31; YES), whether or not the handset 9 is in use as described above. Is determined (step S42), and the same processing as described above is performed.
[0123]
  However, if the voice slot is usable (step S31; NO), a call signal for the child device is created (step S32), and it is further determined whether or not the handset 9 is in use (step S33). This is because if the handset 9 can be used, the handset 9 is also called at the same time as the slave unit. Therefore, if the handset 9 is usable as a result of the determination (step S33; NO), a master call signal is created (step S34). The processing for creating the parent device call signal is also performed when it is determined that the handset 9 can be used when all the child devices cannot be used or the voice slot is in use (step S42; NO).
[0124]
  Then, the calling signal created as described above is transmitted to the child device and / or the parent device (step S35), and a response from each device is waited (step S36). If there is no response from any device (step S36; NO), it waits while determining whether or not to cancel the communication request from the outside line side (step S38). As a result, when the communication request is canceled from the outside line side (step S38; YES), the corresponding part of the outside line management table is rewritten to IDLE (step S40), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S41).
[0125]
  However, if there is a response from any of the devices (step S36; YES), the process proceeds to slot allocation for audio data (step S37). This process is shown in FIG. 13. First, it is determined whether or not the device that has responded is the handset 9 (step S50). If there is a response from the handset 9 (step S50; YES), Connection between the slave unit and the external line is not performed, and an external line call using the handset 9 is started (step S55). On the other hand, if it is not a response by the handset 9 but any one of the slave units (step S50; NO), a voice slot is assigned for wireless communication between the slave unit and the master unit (step S51). In other words, after selecting one of the available channels and determining the transmission ID and reception ID in the voice slot, the channel and slot information determined at the time of synchronization acquisition described above are transmitted to the communication partner's slave unit. To send. Then, after performing such slot allocation processing, communication between the parent device and the child device is started (step S52).
[0126]
  Next, the hardware management table and the communication control table are rewritten (step S53). For example, in the case of an external line call using the handset 9, an external line(1)~(4)In the area 141, information indicating that the connected device is the handset 9 is stored. However, in this case, since the voice slot is not used, the content of the communication control table is not rewritten.
[0127]
  On the other hand, in the case of an external call by any of the slave units, information indicating that the connected device is any of the slave units is stored in the area 143 for the voice codec 3a or 3b. In the communication control table, information indicating that “slave unit 20A (external line)” is stored in the area 145 indicating the communication partner terminal of the base unit 1, and the slot 146 indicates a voice slot. Enables information indicating In the area 147 indicating the channel, “1”, which is a channel that was free at that time, is stored. In this way, communication is performed between the outside line and the handset 9 or the handset.
[0128]
  Data transmission / reception processing during communication as described above is executed in parallel by an interrupt routine or the like separately from communication processing such as slot allocation processing described in this embodiment, and table management is performed as described above. When the process ends, the process proceeds to a communication end request monitoring process shown in FIG. 14 (step S54).
[0129]
  As shown in FIG. 14, for example, when there is a call termination request from the slave unit when the slave unit is in an external line communication state (step S60; YES to step S63; YES), the master unit A communication end permission signal is transmitted to the slave unit (step S64), the voice codec or voice slot used for communication with the slave unit is released (step S65), and processing such as clearing of each table is performed. (Step S66), the process returns to the standby state again (step S304; NO to step S62). Also, when there is a communication end request from the handset 9 by an on-hook signal or the like, the same table management processing is performed except for transmission of the communication end permission signal to the slave unit, and the standby state is returned again. The same applies when a communication end request is received from the outside line. The above is the outline of the external line call processing by the handset 9 or the voice terminal slave when there is a communication request from the external line.
[0130]
  Next, a case where there is a communication request from an outside line in FIG. 11 and the transmitted data is non-voice data will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to a non-voice data calling process (step S15).
[0131]
  This process is shown in FIG. 15. First, it is determined whether or not the data to be transmitted is FAX data (step S68). If the data is FAX data (step S68; YES), a master FAX reception described later is performed. The process proceeds to processing (step S69). This master FAX reception process will be described later.
[0132]
  However, when the data is not FAX data (step S68; NO), the data terminal slave units 40A to 40D are called, so whether or not these slave units can be used is referred to the communication control table. (Step S70). As a result, when any of the slave units can be used (step S70; NO), by referring to the communication control table whether or not the data slot is being used for wireless communication between the master unit and the slave unit. If the data slot is usable (step S71; NO), a call signal for the slave unit is created (step S72), and a protocol is established (step S73). Specifically, after confirming the synchronization acquisition by the control slot as shown in FIG. 9, the current status of the slave unit is confirmed, and the channel and slot used for communication are designated for the slave unit. . Next, a call signal is transmitted to the slave unit (step S74), and a response from the slave unit is waited (step S75).
[0133]
  As a result, when there is a response from the slave unit (step S75; YES), non-voice data slot allocation processing is performed (step S76). This process is shown in FIG. 16, and first, allocation of data received from an outside line to a data slot is performed (step S87). Specifically, the transmission data length in one frame is determined in consideration of the length of received data or the presence / absence of voice data transmitted / received to / from the voice terminal slave unit, and is used for transmission start timing and transmission. Determine the channel. And these information is transmitted with respect to a subunit | mobile_unit at the time of the synchronous acquisition mentioned above.
[0134]
  In this way, when communication with the slave unit becomes possible, wireless communication between the master unit 1 and the slave unit at the timing of the data slot is started (step S88), and storage processing of the received data in the memory is started. (Step S89).
[0135]
  As a result, data received from the outside line is output to the transmission / reception device 6 at the timing of the data terminal transmission slot under the control of the CPU 10, and is wirelessly transmitted to the slave device by the frequency hopping method by the transmission / reception device 6. In the slave unit, the received data is decoded by the modem of the slave unit and taken into the slave unit.
[0136]
  Next, the area corresponding to the modem 5 in the hardware management table is rewritten, and the areas of the master unit and the slave unit in the communication control table are rewritten (step S90), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S91). .
[0137]
  As described above, wireless communication with high confidentiality and high frequency efficiency is performed by switching the hopping frequency for each frame while communicating data received from the outside line to the slave unit in units of one frame. Is called.
[0138]
  Next, processing in a case where a response from the slave unit is not obtained in step S75 shown in FIG. 15 (step S75; NO) will be described. In this case, first, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the calling signal was transmitted to the slave unit (step S80). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S80; YES), a signal for rejecting the communication request is transmitted through the external line (step S79), the modem 5 is released (step S84), and the external line management table is rewritten (step S85). ) To shift to the communication end monitoring process (step S86).
[0139]
  If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S80; NO), it is determined whether or not transmission from the outside line has been stopped (step S83). As a result, when the transmission is not stopped (step S83; NO), the response waiting process from the slave unit is continued. When the transmission is stopped (step S83; YES), the modem 5 is continued. Is released (step S84), the external line management table is rewritten (step S85), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S86).
[0140]
  Next, in step S70 of FIG. 15, when all the slave units are in use (step S70; YES), or any of the slave units can be used, but in step S71, when the data slot is already in use. (Step S71; YES), the communication request for the outside line is rejected (Step S79), the modem 5 is released (Step S84), the outside line management table is rewritten (Step S85), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (Step S86). ).
[0141]
  Next, in step S68 of FIG. 15, when the data transmitted from the outside line is FAX data (step S68; YES), the process proceeds to a master FAX reception process (step S69). The reception process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0142]
  In the apparatus of the present embodiment, since all the FAX data transmitted from the outside line is stored in the communication memory 13, it is first determined whether or not there is a free area in the communication memory 13 (step S100). ). As a result, when there is no free space in the communication memory 13 (step S100; YES), a signal for rejecting the communication request is transmitted to the outside line (step S113), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S112). ).
[0143]
  However, if there is an empty area in the communication memory 13 (step S100; NO), the other party number is detected based on the data at the time of the incoming call (step S101). When the other party number is detected (step S101; YES), the other party name and transfer destination corresponding to the other party number are searched based on the sender list as shown in FIG. However, if the other party number is not registered in this sender list, the other party name is treated as indefinite. If the partner number cannot be detected (step S101; NO), both the partner number and the partner name are treated as indefinite (step S103).
[0144]
  Next, the FAX image data is stored in the communication memory 13 (step S104), and index information as shown in FIG. 26 is also registered in the communication memory 13 (step S105). This index information includes data No. , Reception date, received number, destination number, destination name, forwarding destination, and output status information, of which the search result from the above-mentioned sender list is displayed in the destination name area. Store. In the example shown in FIG. The data of No. 4 is “#” indicating that the name of the other party is indefinite because the other party number is not registered in the transmission source list. For the data 5, since the other party number could not be detected from the data at the time of the incoming call, the other party number is “*” indicating that the other party number is also undefined.
[0145]
  The transfer destination registered in the transmission source list indicates the radio addresses of the slave terminals 40A to 40D. With this information, FAX data can be transmitted from the outside line to a specific slave terminal. Yes. Wireless addresses are assigned as “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” for each of the handset terminals 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D. It is also possible to specify a plurality of handset terminals as in the case of data 3. The wireless address “0” designates that data is transferred to all the handset terminals and printout is performed in the base unit or only one of them is performed. The type of designation can be switched in the operation unit of the master unit. When the data of 4 is received, the transfer print output is set for the wireless address “0” as well as the transfer to all the slave units, and since the print output is completed, “output completed” is recorded in the output status. . No. When data 5 is received, only the transfer to all handset terminals is set for the wireless address “0” and the transfer request has not been issued yet, or the transfer status has not been performed for some reason. Is recorded as “untransferred”.
[0146]
  The output status records the status of transfer or output in the master unit. With this information, it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of transfer data from the handset terminal side.
[0147]
  When the storage of the FAX image data and the index information in the communication memory 13 as described above is completed, it is next determined whether or not to transfer the index information to the slave terminal (step S106). This determination is made based on the wireless address recorded in the index information transfer destination area and the setting information about the wireless address “0” described above. As a result, when the transfer to the child device terminal is set (step S106; YES), the process proceeds to the transfer process (step S107).
[0148]
  The details of this transfer process are shown in FIG. 18. First, it is determined by referring to the communication control table whether any of the data terminal slave units 40A to 40D is usable (step S120). If any of the slave units can be used (step S120; NO), it is next determined by referring to the communication control table whether the data slot is usable (step S121). If the data slot is usable (step S121; NO), it is next determined whether the modem 5 is usable (step S122). If the data slot is usable (step S122; NO), the modem is determined. 5 is connected to the CPU 10 to establish a protocol with the slave unit (step S123).
[0149]
  However, if all the data terminal slaves are in use (step S120; YES), if the data slot is already in use (step S121; YES), or if the modem 5 is already in use (step S122; YES), the process proceeds to the print output process (step S108) in the master unit shown in FIG. This process will be described later.
[0150]
  After the modem 5 is connected to the CPU 10, information indicating that the connected device is the usable slave unit is stored in the area 143 corresponding to the modem 5 in the hardware management table (step S124). A call signal is created and the call signal is transmitted (step S125).
[0151]
  After this, the slave device waits for a response (step S126), but if there is no response after the elapse of a predetermined period from the transmission of the calling signal (step S127; YES), or when transmission from the master device is stopped. (Step S128; YES), the connected modem 5 is released (Step S129), the hardware management table is rewritten (Step S130), and the process proceeds to the print output process (Step S108) shown in FIG.
[0152]
  However, if the response from the slave unit is within the predetermined period (step S126; YES), the process proceeds to the non-voice data slot allocation process (step S131). This process is the same as the process described above with reference to FIG. 16. The transmission data from the parent device is assigned to the data slot, wireless communication with the child device is started, and the contents of the communication control table are changed. It is to be rewritten (steps S87 to S91).
[0153]
  When the index information is transferred as described above, the index information as shown in FIG. 28 is displayed on the screen of each slave unit by performing a predetermined operation on each slave unit. This index information is transferred to the terminal having the wireless address 5, that is, the slave terminal 40A.
[0154]
  Based on the index information, the slave unit requests the master unit to transfer image data or transmits a request to delete any data to the master unit. This transmission process will be described later.
[0155]
  Next, a description will be given of a printing process in the master unit performed after the above transfer process is completed or when transfer is not set. Information regarding whether or not to perform this printing can be set in the operation unit or the like of the master unit, and is stored in the RAM 12.
[0156]
  As a result of the determination made based on this information, if print output is to be performed in the master unit (step S108; YES), it is determined whether or not the image output block 8 is in use based on the internal signal of the master unit ( If it is usable (step S109; NO), the contents of the hardware management table are rewritten (step S110), and the printing operation by the image output block 8 is started (step S111). As a result, the FAX data is printed out in the master unit.
[0157]
  However, if the print output is not set (step S108; NO) or the image output block 8 is in use (step S109; YES), a signal for rejecting the communication request to the outside line Is transmitted (step S113), and the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S112).
[0158]
  As described above, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, when there is a communication request from the outside line, a response can be made by the master unit or the slave unit, and voice data and non-voice data are mixed. However, parallel processing is possible.
[0159]
  When the data to be transmitted is FAX data, the FAX image data is once stored in the master unit and the index information is also stored, so that the FAX data can be changed according to the request from the slave unit. It can be taken out. The transfer request process from the slave unit will be described later.
[0160]
  Next, the case where there is a communication request from the parent device in step S3 shown in FIG. 11 will be described (step S3; YES). In this case, the process proceeds to base unit transmission data processing (step S4), and details of this processing are shown in FIG.
[0161]
  Here, when there is a communication request from the master unit, there is an external line transmission request from the master unit, or there is an extension communication request from the master unit to the slave unit, each by voice data And non-voice data.
[0162]
  First, a case where there is an external line communication request by voice data from the master unit will be described. Whether the communication partner is an external line or an internal line can be determined by selecting a button (not shown) or the like provided on the handset 9 and reading a selection signal from the handset 9 by the CPU 10. . If the result of the determination is that the communication partner is an external line (step S135; YES), it is determined whether or not the communication request is from the handset 9 (step S136). This is for determining whether the data used for communication is voice data or non-voice data. As a result, in the case of a communication request from the handset 9 (step S136; YES), it is determined with reference to the hardware management table whether the audio codec 3a or 3b is usable (step S137). If any audio codec is in use, the audio data from the handset 9 cannot be transmitted to the outside line, so the communication request to the handset 9 is rejected (step S138) and the communication end monitoring process is performed (step S138). Step S139). However, if any voice codec is usable (step S137; NO), the usable voice codec is connected to the outside line (step S140), and the outside line management table is rewritten (step S141). That is, the information corresponding to the usable audio codec is stored in the area 141 corresponding to the vacant outside line in the table. Then, a call signal for the communication partner through the outside line is created and the call signal is transmitted (step S142). Thereafter, a response from the communication partner is awaited (step S143). If the handset 9 is in an on-hook state while waiting for a response (step S144; YES), as shown in FIG. The released voice codec is released (step S39), the external line management table is rewritten (step S40), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S41).
[0163]
  On the other hand, when there is a response from the communication partner (step S143; YES), external line communication by the handset 9 is started (step S145), and the contents of the hardware management table are rewritten (step S146). That is, information indicating that the connected device is the handset 9 is stored in the area 143 corresponding to the connected audio codec in the hardware management table. Then, the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S147). In this way, an outside line call using the outside line from the base unit 1 is performed.
[0164]
  Next, processing in the case of performing external line transmission using an external line of non-voice data from the base unit 1, that is, FAX data transmission will be described. Also in this case, since the FAX data transmission is selected by the operation panel (not shown) of the base unit 1 or the like, it can be determined that the FAX data transmission is performed by reading the selection signal by the CPU 10 (step S135; YES). -Step S136; NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the modem 5 is usable by referring to the hardware management table (step S148). If the modem 5 is already in use (step S148; YES), the communication request is rejected. (Step S138), the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (Step S139). However, if the modem 5 can be used (step S148; NO), the modem 5 is connected to the outside line to establish a protocol (step S149). Specifically, transmission of a transmission command and reception of a reception preparation confirmation command are performed in accordance with the G3 standard.
[0165]
  Then, the external line management table is rewritten (step S150), a call signal for the communication partner is created and the call signal is transmitted (step S151). Thereafter, a response from the communication partner is awaited (step S152), but if there is no response from the communication partner even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the call signal was transmitted (step S153; YES), FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the communication request to the base unit 1 is rejected (step S79), the connected modem 5 is released (step S84), the external line management table is rewritten (step S85), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process. (Step S86). Also, when a request for canceling transmission is output from the base unit (step S154; YES), as shown in FIG. 15, the modem 5 release process (step S84) and the external line management table rewrite process (step S85). Etc.
[0166]
  However, if there is a response from the communication partner within a predetermined period (step S152; YES), FAX transmission is started (step S155), and the hardware management table and the communication control table are rewritten (step S146). ). That is, information indicating that the connected device is a parent device is stored in the area 143 corresponding to the modem 5 in the hardware management table.
[0167]
  This FAX transmission is performed not only on the data read by the image reading block 7 of the master device but also on the data transmitted from the data terminal slave devices 40A to 40D and stored in the memory in the master device. In either case, the image data is output from the CPU 10 to the modem 5, encoded, and transmitted to the outside line. As described above, the apparatus according to the present embodiment can also be used as an ordinary FAX transmitter.
[0168]
  Next, the case where there is an extension communication request from the parent device 1 to the child device in step S135 of FIG. 19 (step S135; NO) will be described. As described above, in this case as well, the request can be determined by pressing a button on the operation panel or the like of the master unit 1, and at that time, whether the communication partner is a slave unit or whether the master unit is confident is selected by a button or the like. It is possible. When there is no communication partner and the master device is operated (step S156; NO), that is, when the master device is used like a copier, hardware such as the image reading block 7 and the image output block 8 is provided. It is determined whether or not it can be used by a signal in the master unit (step S158). If the hardware is in use (step S158; YES), the request is rejected (step S138), and the communication end monitoring process is performed. The process proceeds (step S139). However, if the hardware can be used (step S158; NO), the copy operation is started (step S159), and the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S160).
[0169]
  On the other hand, when the communication partner is a slave unit (step S156; YES), the process proceeds to a base unit extension process (step S157).
[0170]
  This process is shown in detail in FIG. 20. First, it is determined by referring to the communication control table whether or not the voice terminal slave units 20A to 20D can be used (step S161), and any one of the slave units can be used. (Step S161; NO), it is next determined by referring to the communication control table whether or not the voice slot can be used (step S162). It is determined with reference to the hardware management table whether or not the codec is usable (step S163). When the audio codec is usable, the audio codec is connected to the CPU 10.
[0171]
  However, if all the slaves are already in use (step S161; YES), if the voice slot is already in use (step S162; YES), or if all the voice codecs are already in use (step S163; YES), the request is rejected (step S172), and the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S173).
[0172]
  When the audio codec is connected to the CPU 10 (step S164), information indicating that the connected device is a slave that can be used is stored in the area 143 corresponding to the audio codec in the hardware management table (step S164). In step S165, a call signal for the child device is created and the call signal is transmitted (step S166).
[0173]
  Thereafter, a response from the slave unit is waited (step S167). If the handset 9 is in an on-hook state while waiting for the response (step S168; YES), the connected audio codec is released (step S169). ), The hardware management table is rewritten (step S170). However, if there is a response as to the slave unit (step S167; YES), the process proceeds to a slot allocation process for audio data (step S171). This process is the same as the process described above with reference to FIG. 13, and assigns voice slots, starts communication, and rewrites the communication control table (steps S50 to S54).
[0174]
  As described above, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform external line communication using only the master unit and extension communication using voice data and non-voice data between the master unit and the slave unit.
[0175]
  Next, the case where there is a communication request from the slave unit in step S1 of FIG. 11 (step S1; YES) will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to the slave unit transmission data process (step S2). Details of this process are shown in FIG.
[0176]
  First, it is determined whether or not the communication partner requested by the slave unit is a slave unit (step S174). The information related to the communication partner is information included in the response data 125 in the response slot 120 shown in FIG. 9, and the master unit obtains this information at the time of synchronization acquisition and performs the determination. As a result, when the communication partner is not a slave (step S174; NO), it is determined whether or not the transmission source is a voice terminal slave (step S176). This is determined by the transmission side ID 123 of the response slot 120 shown in FIG.
[0177]
  As a result, when the transmission slave unit is a voice terminal slave unit (step S176; YES), it is determined by referring to the hardware management table whether the voice codec is usable (step S179). If such an audio codec is usable (step S179; NO), it is next determined with reference to the communication control table whether an audio slot is available (step S180). If the voice slot is usable (step S180; NO), it is determined whether or not the communication partner requested by the transmission child device is an external line (step S181). This is also determined based on information included in the response data 125. As a result, when the communication partner is not an external line (step S181; NO), an extension call is made with the base unit, so whether or not the base unit handset 9 is in use is determined based on a hook signal or the like. (Step S182). If the handset 9 is usable (step S182; NO), the parent device connects the voice codec of the parent device to the CPU 10 of the parent device (step S183).
[0178]
  On the other hand, if the communication partner requested by the slave unit is an external line (step S181; YES), the voice codec of the base unit is connected to the external line (step S185), and the external line management table is rewritten (step S186).
[0179]
  However, in the processing so far, all the audio codecs are already in use (step S179; YES), the audio slot is already in use (step S180; YES), or the handset 9 is already in use. In this case (step S182; YES), since the extension call cannot be established between the slave unit and the master unit, a request rejection signal is transmitted to the slave unit as shown in FIG. 17 (step S192), and the communication end monitoring process is performed. (Step S193).
[0180]
  As described above, when the audio codec of the parent device is connected to either the external line or the CPU 10 of the parent device, the area corresponding to the audio codec in the hardware management table is rewritten (step S184). In response to this, a request permission signal is transmitted (step S187). This information is transmitted to the slave unit as communication processing data 135 in the communication processing slot 130 shown in FIG. Then, the voice slot length is determined in consideration of the channel used for communication with the slave unit and the presence of non-voice data, the voice slot is assigned for communication with the slave unit (step S188), and the communication control table is rewritten (step S188). Step S189). That is, information indicating the slave unit is stored in the area 145 of the communication partner terminal of the master unit, voice is stored in the slot, and information indicating the selected channel is stored in the channel. In addition, information indicating the master unit is stored in the area 145 of the communication partner terminal of the slave unit, voice is stored in the slot, and information indicating the same channel is stored in the channel.
[0181]
  Then, communication using the voice slot is started (step S190), and the process proceeds to a slave unit voice data calling process (step S191).
[0182]
  Details of this processing are shown in FIG. 22. First, when the communication partner of the slave unit is not an external line (step S210; NO), the master unit has received a call signal transmitted from the slave unit. It is determined whether or not (step S213). As a result, when the call signal from the slave unit can be received within a predetermined period (step S214; YES), the call signal is transmitted to the handset 9 to call the handset 9 (step S215), and the response of the handset 9 (Step S216), and if there is a response from the handset 9 (step S216; YES), an extension call between the handset 9 and the slave unit is started (step S218), and the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S218). Step S219).
[0183]
  On the other hand, in a response waiting state from the handset 9 (step S216), when a communication end request is made from the transmission side slave unit (step S217; YES), a communication end permission signal is transmitted to the slave unit. (Step S221), the connected audio codec is released (step S222), the audio slot is also released (step S223), the hardware management table and the communication control table are rewritten (step S224), and the communication end monitoring is performed. The process proceeds to processing (step S219).
[0184]
  When the calling signal from the slave unit to the master unit is not received within a predetermined period (step S213; NO to step S214; YES), the connected voice codec is released (step S225), and the voice slot (Step S226), the hardware management table and the communication control table are rewritten (step S227), a request rejection signal is transmitted to the slave unit (step S228), and the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (step S228). S219).
[0185]
  Further, after the wireless communication with the slave unit is started, if the determination result of the communication partner requested by the slave unit is an external line (step S210; YES), a slave unit external line process is performed (step S211), The process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S212). This slave unit outside line processing is for performing a normal outside line call through a voice codec connected to the outside line.
[0186]
  Next, a case will be described in which the slave unit that is the transmission source is the data terminal slave unit in step S176 of FIG. 21 (step S176; NO). In this case, first, it is determined whether or not a FAX command related to FAX data transfer or the like has been transmitted from the slave unit (step S177). This FAX command is transmitted from the slave unit based on the above-described index information. In addition to transferring and erasing FAX image data, whether or not untransferred FAX data is recorded in the master unit, etc. A command that makes a request. If the result of this determination is a FAX command (step S177; YES), the process proceeds to FAX command processing (step S178), which will be described later.
[0187]
  On the other hand, if it is not a FAX command (step S177; NO), it is determined whether or not the modem 5 can be used with reference to the hardware management table (step S194), and if it is usable (step S194). NO), it is determined by referring to the communication control table whether or not the data slot is usable (step S195). If the data slot can be used (step S195; NO), it is determined whether or not the communication partner requested by the slave unit is only an external line (step S196). And so on (step S196; NO), it is determined based on an internal signal or the like whether or not the hardware such as the image reading block 7 or the image output block 8 of the master unit used for the image output is usable. (Step S197). As a result, when the hardware is usable (step S197; NO), the modem 5 is connected to the CPU 10 (step S198).
[0188]
  If the requested communication partner is not only the parent device (step S199; NO), or if the requested communication partner is only an external line in step S196 (step S196; YES), the modem 5 is connected to the external line to establish a protocol. At the same time (step S200), the outside line management table is rewritten (step S201).
[0189]
  However, if the modem 5 is already in use (step S194; YES), the data slot is already in use (step S195; YES), or the base unit hardware is already in use in the processing up to this point. In this case (step S197; YES), a signal for rejecting the request is transmitted to the slave unit (step S192), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S193).
[0190]
  After the connection destination of the modem 5 is determined as described above, the contents of the area corresponding to the modem 5 in the hardware management table are rewritten (step S202), and a communication request permission signal is transmitted to the slave unit. (Step S203). Then, the data slot is allocated for wireless communication with the slave unit (step S204), the communication control table is rewritten (step S205), and the process proceeds to the slave unit non-voice data call processing (step S206).
[0191]
  Details of this process are shown in FIG. 23. First, it is determined whether or not the communication partner terminal requested by the slave unit is only an external line (step S230). As a result, when image output or the like is performed not only on the outside line but also on the parent device (step S230; NO), it is determined whether data is output or input is performed on the parent device (step S230). S231). This information is transmitted from the slave unit to the master unit as information in the response data of the response slot 120 shown in FIG. As a result of the determination, when outputting to the parent device (step S231; output), storage processing of data transmitted from the child device and received by the parent device to the memory in the parent device is started (step S232), and the image is displayed. Image output by the output block 8 is started (step S233). On the other hand, when inputting data in the parent device (step S231; input), image reading is started by the image reading block 7 (step S236), and processing for storing the read data in the memory in the parent device is started. (Step S237). Next, a process of transmitting the data stored in the memory to the slave unit using the data slot is started (step S238).
[0192]
  After performing the data output or input start processing in the master unit in this way, it is determined whether or not the request communication partner from the slave unit is only the master unit (step S234), and the request communication partner is only the master unit. If not (step S234; NO), or if the requested communication partner is only an outside line in step S230 (step S230; YES), the slave unit outside line processing is started (step S239). This slave unit external line processing performs normal FAX communication or data communication via the modem 5 connected to the external line.
[0193]
  Note that, after the above process, the process of transitioning to the communication end monitoring process (step S235) is the same as in the other communication processes described above.
[0194]
  As described above, according to the apparatus of the present embodiment, extension communication between a slave unit and a master unit or an external line communication according to a request from a slave unit is possible, and these communications are performed on both voice data and non-voice data. This is possible.
[0195]
  Next, the case where the communication request partner from the slave unit is another slave unit in step S174 of FIG. 21 (step S174; YES) will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to a slave unit-slave unit communication process (step S175). The details of this processing are shown in FIG. 24. First, referring to the synchronization acquisition information area 148 of the communication control table, it is determined whether or not synchronization is established between the slave unit and the master unit of the communication partner. Determination is made (step S240). This is because when the extension communication between the slave unit and the slave unit is started, a normal response cannot be obtained from these slave units even if the synchronization acquisition process is performed in the master unit. If synchronization is established (step S240; YES), it is next determined by referring to the communication control table whether or not the communication partner slave unit is usable (step S241). In such a case (step S241; NO), it is determined by referring to the communication control table whether there is an unused channel (step S242). This is because the communication between the slave unit and the slave unit is possible in order to enable communication between the slave unit and the slave unit even when the voice slot and non-voice slot of a certain channel are used between the master unit and the slave unit. Is used to select a channel that is not used for communication between the parent device and the child device. If the result of determination is that there is an empty channel, that channel is assigned to communication between the slave unit and the slave unit (step S243), and the channel information area 147 for both slave units in the communication control table is rewritten (step S244).
[0196]
  If the slave unit that is the communication partner is not synchronized (step S240; NO), if the slave unit is already in use (step S241; YES), or if there is no available channel ( (Step S242; YES), a request rejection signal for the slave unit is transmitted (Step S248), and the process proceeds to a communication end monitoring process (Step S249).
[0197]
  After channel assignment is completed, a communication request permission signal is transmitted to the slave unit together with the channel information (step S245), and the master unit recognizes the start of communication between the slave unit and the slave unit (step S246). ).
[0198]
  On the other hand, the slave unit that has received the communication request permission signal transmits a communication request to another slave unit that is a communication partner, and starts communication with each other after obtaining communication permission from the slave unit. Although this communication is also performed by a frequency hopping method, the frame structure and slot structure used may be the same as those used between the parent machine and the child machine as described above, or may be different structures. However, by using the frame and slot having the above-described structure, wireless communication in which voice data and non-voice data are mixed can be performed between the slave units.
[0199]
  Further, after the above process, the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (step S247), but the communication permission cannot be received from the other slave unit as a result of the transmission of the communication request from the slave unit to the other slave unit. In this case, a communication end request is transmitted from the slave unit to the master unit, and when this is recognized in step S63 shown in FIG. 14, the master unit transmits a communication end permission signal to the slave unit. (Step S64) The slot and channel are released, the table is rewritten, etc. (Step S65 to Step S66).
[0200]
  A communication end request in the communication between the slave unit and the slave unit is transmitted according to the priority order of the slave units registered in advance in the master unit. That is, if the priority order of the slave unit 20A is higher than the priority order of the slave unit 20B, the slave unit 20A first transmits a communication end request signal to the master unit. However, since the end permission signal is transmitted from the master unit in response to the end request signal transmitted by the slave unit A, and the slave unit B does not know that the slave unit A has received the permission signal, Regardless of whether or not the machine A has received the communication end permission signal, it transmits a communication end request signal to the parent machine. Then, transmission / reception of these signals is continued until the master unit finally recognizes the communication end request signal and both the slave unit A and the slave unit B recognize.
[0201]
  This communication between the slave unit and the slave unit is performed between the voice terminal slave units or between the data terminal slave units, and is performed in parallel between the voice terminal slave unit and the data terminal slave unit. Simultaneous communication is possible.
[0202]
  As described above, according to the apparatus of the present embodiment, wireless communication using the frequency hopping method can be performed between the child device and the child device while performing wireless communication using the frequency hopping method between the parent device and the child device.
[0203]
  As described above in detail, according to the apparatus of the present embodiment, various types of communication are possible. However, in principle, when one piece of hardware is used, the hardware is used for other processing. Cannot be used.
[0204]
  Therefore, when a fax data transmission request is issued from an external line while the master unit 1 is performing print output in response to an extension communication request from the data terminal slave units 40A to 40D, the FAX data transmission side is on standby. Will be in a state, and will be in a time-out state, and normal reception will not be possible.
[0205]
  On the other hand, if a data transmission interruption request is transmitted to the data terminal slave unit that is transmitting the print output data, and image output based on FAX data from an external line is performed, data transfer is performed. The rate drops temporarily.
[0206]
  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the FAX data transmitted from the outside line is temporarily stored in the communication memory 13 of the parent device, and the index information is transferred to the child device, so that the child device side By transmitting a FAX command based on the index information to the parent machine, only necessary FAX data can be transferred or printed out.
[0207]
  In the slave unit, based on the screen display as shown in FIG. Is selected, and a “transfer” command, a “print output” command, and a “confirm” command for received data are designated with a keyboard or a mouse and transmitted to the parent device.
[0208]
  Hereinafter, the FAX command processing of the present embodiment when such a FAX command is transmitted from the slave unit will be described. This FAX command process is executed when the communication request from the slave unit is a FAX command in Step S177 of FIG. 21 (Step S177; YES to Step S178).
[0209]
  The details of this process are shown in FIG. 25. First, it is determined whether or not the modem 5 is usable by referring to the hardware management table (step S250), and if it is usable (step S250; NO), it is determined with reference to the communication control table whether or not the data slot is usable (step S251). If the data slot is usable (step S251; NO), the modem 5 is connected to the CPU 10 (step S252). Next, the contents of the area corresponding to the modem 5 in the hardware management table are rewritten (step S253), and a communication request permission signal is transmitted to the slave unit (step S254). Then, the data slot is allocated for wireless communication with the slave unit (step S255), the communication control table is rewritten (step S256), and the FAX command is analyzed.
[0210]
  If the command is “delete” as a result of the analysis (step S257; YES), the FAX image data stored in the communication memory 13 is deleted, and the corresponding item of the index information is deleted (step S258). Note that this deletion can delete only the corresponding item of the index information and leave the FAX image data. This setting can be switched by the operation unit of the master unit.
[0211]
  Next, when a “transfer” command is transmitted (step S259; YES), the contents of the “output status” area of the index information are rewritten (step S260), and the specified FAX image data slave unit is rewritten. The transfer to is started (step S261). The "transfer" command includes a command for rewriting the transfer destination of the index information. When this command is transmitted, only the content of the index information is rewritten, and the image data is not transferred. .
[0212]
  Next, when the “print output” command is transmitted (step S262; YES), it is determined whether or not the image output block 8 is in use (step S263), and when it is usable (step S263). NO), the printing operation is started (step S264), and if the image output block 8 is in use (step S263; YES), the result is transmitted to the slave unit (step S265).
[0213]
  Next, when the “confirm” command is transmitted (step S266; YES), the presence / absence of untransferred data for the child device is searched based on the index information, and the result is transmitted to the child device. (Step S267), and the process proceeds to the communication end monitoring process (Step S268).
[0214]
  On the other hand, if the command transmitted from the slave unit is a command that is not set in the master unit or is a command that cannot be analyzed (step S266; NO), the modem 5 connected to the CPU 10 is used. Is released (step S269), the data slot is released (step S270), each table is rewritten (step S271), a signal for rejecting the communication request is transmitted to the slave unit (step S272), and the communication ends. The process proceeds to the monitoring process (step S273). However, you may return to step S250 so that a command can be received again.
[0215]
  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a command can be transmitted from the slave unit based on the index information, and FAX image data can be transferred or deleted, or a print output can be performed at the master unit. Even when FAX data is received during print output using the image output block 8 of the machine, it is possible to process the FAX data when necessary without reducing the data transfer rate from the child machine.
[0216]
  Also, since all FAX data is not printed out immediately, unnecessary printing of unnecessary data can be prevented.
[0217]
  In the above-described embodiment, the FAX image data transfer request is made from the slave unit side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slave unit automatically requests the slave unit based on the index information. You may comprise so that it may transfer with respect to a machine.
[0218]
  Further, the setting of the transmission source list described above may be performed from the handset side, or may be performed by an operation in the operation unit of the base unit.
[0219]
  In addition, in the index information registration process, only unregistered data such as a partner name may be listed to facilitate registration.
[0220]
  In addition, when FAX data is received, a command may be transmitted from the master unit to the transfer destination slave unit so that an incoming message is displayed on the screen or a beep sound is generated. In this way, it is possible to obtain data quickly.
[0221]
  In addition, according to the apparatus of the present embodiment, both voice data and non-voice data can be transmitted and received in one frame, so that data from other slave units can be printed by the master unit during an external line call by the slave units. It is possible to perform efficient communication such as sending out data or transmitting data from the slave unit through an external line. And since this communication is performed by the frequency hopping method, the confidentiality of communication and the frequency use efficiency are improved.
[0222]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the communication device of claim 1,Non-voice data and voice data received by the master unit are divided into a slot for voice data and a slot for non-speech data within one frame, which is one unit of transmission and reception, between the master unit and the slave unit. Since wireless transmission / reception is performed using a frequency hopping method based on time-sharing processing, non-voice data is transferred as described above, and at the same time, communication is performed using voice data. However, it will be performed efficiently.
[0223]
  According to the communication device according to claim 2, the source telephone number of the non-voice data is extracted from the communication information and stored in the storage unit, and the previously stored source telephone number is stored in the storage unit. Since the corresponding sender name is stored in correspondence with the extracted sender telephone number, the sender of the non-voice data can be easily confirmed in the slave unit, and the selection of non-voice data can be selected. It can be made even easier.
[0224]
[0225]
[0226]
  Claim3According to the communication device described in the above, the image data stored in the storage unit is not only transferred to the slave unit on the basis of a request from the slave unit, but also formed and output by the image forming unit in the master unit. Therefore, it is possible to diversify and optimize information acquisition according to the user's request.
[0227]
  Claim4According to the communication device described inNon-voice data and voice data received by the master unit are divided into a slot for voice data and a slot for non-speech data within one frame, which is one unit of transmission and reception, between the master unit and the slave unit. Since wireless transmission / reception is performed using a frequency hopping method based on time-sharing processing, non-voice data is transferred as described above, and at the same time, communication is performed using voice data. However, it will be performed efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a master unit, (B) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a slave unit for a voice terminal, ) Is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data terminal slave unit.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of transmission / reception measures provided in the parent device and the child device of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a graph showing an example of hop frequency switching by the transmission / reception apparatus of FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a hopping frequency table used in the transmission / reception apparatus of FIG. 3;
6 is a configuration diagram of a frame used in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
7 is a block diagram of a voice terminal slot and a data terminal slot in the frame of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing synchronization acquisition processing performed in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
9 is a configuration diagram of a synchronization acquisition slot used in the synchronization acquisition process of FIG. 8. FIG.
10 is an explanatory diagram of a table managed by the parent device in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is an external line management table, (B) is a hardware management table, and (C) is an explanatory diagram of a communication control table. It is.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing communication processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
12 is a flowchart showing voice data call processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
13 is a flowchart of voice data slot allocation processing of the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
14 is a flowchart showing a communication end monitoring process in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing non-voice data call processing of the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
16 is a flowchart showing non-voice data slot allocation processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing master FAX reception processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing FAX data transfer processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing base unit transmission data processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing base unit extension processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing slave unit transmission data processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
22 is a flowchart showing call processing for slave unit voice data of the communication apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
23 is a flowchart showing call processing for slave unit non-voice data of the communication apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
24 is a flowchart showing communication processing between the slave unit and the slave unit in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing FAX command processing in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 26 is a table showing index information in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
27 is a table showing a transmission source list in the communication apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
28 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a screen of a slave unit displaying index information in the communication device of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional frequency hopping transmission / reception apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 ... Master unit
  2 ... NCU
  3a, 3b ... voice codec
  5. Modem
  6 ... Transmitter / receiver
  7: Image reading block
  8. Image output block
  9 ... Handset
  10 ... CPU
  11 ... ROM
  12 ... RAM
  13. Communication memory
  20A-20D ... Slave unit for voice terminal
  21A ... Microphone
  22A ... Speaker
  24A ... Audio codec
  25A ... Transmitter / receiver
  26A ... Antenna
  27A ... CPU
  40A to 40D ... Slave unit for data terminal
  41A ... display device
  42A ... CPU
  43A ... ROM
  44A ... RAM
  45A ... modem
  46A ... Transmitter / receiver
  47A ... Antenna

Claims (4)

At least one, and base unit which is connected to an external communication line, the parent machine and the frequency hopping scheme of the at least one connected to a wireless communication line, a handset handling non-voice data, said parent machine and the frequency hopping A communication device comprising at least one slave unit that handles voice data connected to a wireless communication line by
The base unit is an external communication line transmitting / receiving means for transmitting and receiving voice data and non-voice data through the external communication line;
Data type determining means for determining whether the data to be transmitted / received is audio data or non-audio data ;
Between the slave unit handling the non-speech data and the slave unit handling the voice data, both the non-speech data and the speech data are transmitted in a slot for speech data in one frame which is a unit of transmission / reception. A base unit side wireless transmission / reception means for performing wireless transmission / reception by a frequency hopping method by time division processing divided into voice data slots ;
Slot allocation means for performing processing for allocating the slot for audio data and the slot for non-audio data according to the type of data determined by the data type determination means,
The slave unit is time-shared in which at least one of the voice data and the non-speech data is synchronized with the radio transmission / reception timing of the master unit or another slave unit between the master unit or another slave unit. Provided with handset side wireless transmission / reception means for wireless transmission / reception by frequency hopping method by processing ,
A communication device. Storage means for storing non-voice data received via the external communication line or the wireless communication line;
A communication control means for storing the non-voice data and the communication information received together with the non-voice data in the storage means when the non-voice data is received by the external communication line transmitting / receiving means via the external communication line; Further comprising
The communication control unit extracts a source telephone number of the non-voice data from the communication information and stores it in the storage unit, and extracts a source name corresponding to the source telephone number stored in advance. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus stores information corresponding to the caller telephone number. Storage means for storing non-voice data received via the external communication line or the wireless communication line;
A communication control means for storing the non-voice data and the communication information received together with the non-voice data in the storage means when the non-voice data is received by the external communication line transmitting / receiving means via the external communication line; ,
An image forming means for forming an image based on the image data;
It said communication control means, the image data of the non-voice data obtained by the storage based on a request from the child device is transmitted to the image forming unit, according to claim, characterized in that to perform image formation 1 or 2 The communication apparatus as described in. At least one master unit connected to an external communication line, at least one slave unit handling non-voice data connected to the base station and a radio communication line by a frequency hopping method, and the master unit and a frequency hopping method The master unit included in a communication device including at least one slave unit that handles voice data connected to a wireless communication line by:
  External communication line transmitting / receiving means for transmitting and receiving voice data and non-voice data by the external communication line;
  Data type determining means for determining whether the data to be transmitted / received is audio data or non-audio data;
  Between the handset that handles the non-voice data and the handset that handles the voice data, both the non-voice data and the voice data are transmitted within one frame which is a unit of transmission / reception. Wireless transmission / reception means on the base side for performing wireless transmission / reception by frequency hopping by time division processing divided into slots for data and non-voice data slots,
  Slot allocating means for performing a process of allocating the slot for audio data and the slot for non-audio data according to the type of data determined by the data type determining means;
  A master unit characterized by comprising.

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