JP3697336B2 - Facsimile device with external device switching function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function having an external telephone or computer connected as an external device and having a connection switching control unit for automatically switching the connection between the external telephone or a computer and a main body or another external device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, for example, an example of Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-75389 “Data communication apparatus” is known as an apparatus that accommodates an external telephone or a data terminal such as a computer and automatically switches the connection.
[0003]
In addition, some facsimile machines have an external telephone connection dedicated terminal (modular connector) and a computer dedicated connection terminal for connecting a data terminal such as an external telephone or a computer. This terminal is connected to an internal dedicated connection processing circuit, etc. In some cases, an external line is transmitted / received by an external telephone or a network communication such as the Internet by a computer is independently performed through a line to be connected to and accommodated.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, although the external telephone and the computer are not used at the same time, the above-described facsimile apparatus requires two systems of connectors and a dedicated connection processing circuit inside the apparatus, which makes the configuration complicated and wastes space. appear.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and shares a connection connector for an external telephone and a computer, and appropriately switches and controls connected devices, thereby eliminating a useless space and circuit configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function that can simplify the apparatus and reduce the size of the apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has taken the following measures.
[0007]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telephone line connection terminal for connecting a telephone line, a common terminal capable of selectively connecting either an external telephone or an external modem connected to a computer, and modulation / demodulation of transmission / reception data. An internal modem to be performed and an output signal transmitted based on closing of a line by a device connected to the shared terminal are identified, and the device connected to the shared terminal is connected to either the telephone line or the internal modem And a switching control means.
[0008]
With this configuration, the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is identified, and when the device connected to the shared terminal is used, the connection is appropriately switched to either a telephone line or an internal modem. One terminal can be shared by an external telephone and an external modem.
[0009]
In this case, the connection control of the switching control means is performed by connecting the device to the telephone line when the output signal from the device connected to the common terminal is an external line connection cord, for example, as in the second aspect of the invention. If the output signal is a modem connection cord, the device may be configured to connect to the internal modem.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a built-in telephone connection terminal for connecting a built-in telephone, and when the output signal from the device connected to the common terminal is a built-in telephone connection cord, the device is It can also be configured to connect to a built-in phone.
[0011]
With these configurations, the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal can be a fixed-form code signal, and the connection control of the switching control means can be performed according to the code type. It can be shared with a modem, and an operator can realize free connection switching with simple control without requiring any special setting or operation by simply connecting an external device to this shared terminal.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to any one of the first to third aspects, a loop detecting means for detecting the closing of the line is provided inside the apparatus, and the loop The configuration is such that the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is identified after detecting the closing of the line by the detecting means.
[0013]
With this configuration, the switching control means only needs to identify the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal after waiting for detection of the closing of the line and perform switching control. There is no need to constantly monitor the output signal, and the burden on the switching control means can be reduced.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the switching control means switches the internal modem after the loop detection means detects the line closing. When the output signal from the device connected directly to the shared terminal and connected to the shared terminal is identified and this output signal is a modem connection code, the internal modem is then connected via the shared terminal and the hybrid circuit. The printer is connected and receives data from a device connected to the shared terminal to execute printing.
[0015]
With this configuration, the switching control unit monitors the closing of the line of the shared terminal while waiting for connection, and instructs the identification of the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal after detecting the closing, and the data after switching control. A plurality of operations such as reception of data and transfer of data to the print processing unit are executed, and the control efficiency of the apparatus is improved.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 6 is a method invention, and monitors the detection of closing of a line of a shared terminal capable of selectively connecting either an external telephone or an external modem connected to a computer during standby. Then, after detecting the closing of the line of the shared terminal, the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is identified, and after identifying the output signal, the device connected to the shared terminal according to the identification result The switching control is performed to connect to either the telephone line or the internal modem.
[0017]
With this method, the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is identified, and when using the device connected to the shared terminal, the connection is appropriately switched to either a telephone line or an internal modem. One terminal can be shared by an external telephone and an external modem, and when switching connections, the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is identified and the switching control is performed only after waiting for detection of the closing of the line. Therefore, it is not necessary to constantly monitor the output signal from the device connected to the common terminal, and the switching control can be easily executed.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an incoming call waiting state of an external device switching unit in a facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
A facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function includes a modem 1 that performs modulation at the time of data transmission or a demodulation at the time of reception, a main controller 2 that identifies a code of a signal output from an external telephone or a computer, and connections between switches A connection switching control unit 3 that performs switching control, a hybrid distributor (HYB) 4 that branches the transmission / reception terminal of the modem 1, and a loop detection unit 5 that detects the formation of a DC loop in order to recognize line closure. Have.
[0021]
In addition, the facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function includes an external telephone / computer to which a telephone line terminal T1 to which a telephone line from an external line is connected and a tip plug of a cord from an external telephone or an external modem connected to a computer are connected. It has a common terminal T2 and a built-in telephone terminal T3 to which a cord tip plug from the built-in telephone is connected.
[0022]
Furthermore, the facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function is a switch SW1 that selectively connects the modem 1 to either the external telephone / computer common terminal T2 or the telephone line terminal T1, and the telephone line terminal T1 is common to the external telephone / computer. A switch SW2 that selectively connects either the terminal T2 or the modem 1, a switch SW3 that selectively connects the external telephone / computer common terminal T2 to either the telephone line terminal T1 or the modem 1, and a built-in telephone. A switch SW4 for selectively connecting the terminal T3 to either the telephone line terminal T1 or the external telephone / computer shared terminal T2, and the receiving port of the modem 1 as the external telephone / computer shared terminal T2 or the hybrid distributor (HYB) 4 And a switch SW5 selectively connected to any one of the above.
[0023]
Hereinafter, the switching control will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
In the standby state, the movable contact AB of the switch SW1 selects the contact A, the movable contact CD of the switch SW2 selects the contact D, the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 selects the contact E, and the movable contact of the switch SW4. GH selects the contact G, and the movable contact IJ of the switch SW5 selects the contact J. That is, the external telephone or the computer is connected to the telephone line through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact E, the contact D, and the telephone line terminal T1, and the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact E, the contact G, and the built-in telephone terminal. Each is connected to the built-in telephone through T3 and is waiting for an incoming call. Further, the external telephone or computer and the main controller 2 are not connected, and the main controller 2 cannot receive signals from the external telephone or computer.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection standby state. In the connection standby state, the movable contact AB of the switch SW1 selects the contact A, the movable contact CD of the switch SW2 selects the contact D, the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 selects the contact F, and the movable contact of the switch SW4. GH selects the contact G, and the movable contact IJ of the switch SW5 selects the contact J. That is, the external telephone or computer is connected to the main controller 2 through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact F, the contact J and the modem 1, and if a signal is transmitted from the external telephone or computer, the main controller 2 You can receive this. Further, the external telephone or the computer is disconnected from the telephone line and the built-in telephone at the movable contact EF, and cannot receive a call from the external line or the built-in telephone.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of external line connection. In the external connection state, the movable contact AB of the switch SW1 selects the contact A, the movable contact CD of the switch SW2 selects the contact D, the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 selects the contact E, and the movable contact of the switch SW4. GH selects the contact H, and the movable contact IJ of the switch SW5 selects the contact J. That is, an external telephone or a computer is connected to a telephone line through an external telephone / computer common terminal T2, a contact E, a contact D, and a telephone line terminal T1, and can transmit and receive external lines by an external telephone or perform network communication such as the Internet by a computer. It becomes possible. In addition, the external telephone is disconnected from the internal telephone at the movable contact GH and cannot receive a call from the internal telephone.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a state of modem connection. In the state of the modem connection, the movable contact AB of the switch SW1 selects the contact B, the movable contact CD of the switch SW2 selects the contact D, the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 selects the contact F, and the movable contact of the switch SW4. GH selects the contact H, and the movable contact IJ of the switch SW5 selects the contact I. That is, the computer is connected to the modem 1 through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact F, the contact B, the hybrid distributor (HYB) 4 and the contact I, so that communication between the computer and the facsimile apparatus main body becomes possible. It is also possible to send data read by a scanner attached to the computer to a computer, or to output data sent from the computer to a printer attached to the apparatus main body.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a state of the built-in telephone connection. In the state of the built-in telephone connection, the movable contact AB of the switch SW1 selects the contact A, the movable contact CD of the switch SW2 selects the contact D, the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 selects the contact F, and the switch SW4 is movable. The contact GH selects the contact H, and the movable contact IJ of the switch SW5 selects the contact J. In other words, the external telephone is connected to the internal telephone through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact F, the contact H, and the internal telephone terminal T3, so that an extension call can be made. Further, the external telephone is disconnected from the telephone line at the movable contact EF and cannot receive a call from the outside line.
[0029]
In this way, the main control device 2 identifies the code of the signal transmitted from the external telephone or computer connected to the external telephone / computer shared terminal T2, and the connection switching control unit 3 based on the identified code, Since the switching control of the switch is performed as appropriate, it is possible to realize free and free connection switching with simple control while sharing a terminal connected to an external telephone or an external modem connected to a computer.
[0030]
Next, the procedure from the standby state to the connection between each device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0031]
First, when the external telephone or the computer does not form a DC loop, each contact maintains the incoming call waiting state shown in FIG. 1 (S601). That is, the external telephone or the computer is connected to the telephone line through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact E, the contact D, and the telephone line terminal T1, and the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact E, the contact G, and the built-in telephone terminal. Each is connected to the built-in telephone through T3 and is waiting for an incoming call. Further, the external telephone or the computer and the main controller 2 are not connected, and the main controller 2 cannot receive a signal from the external telephone or the computer. As a result, the loop detection unit 5 detects the formation of the DC loop, identifies the signal transmitted from the external telephone or computer for the first time, and performs the switching control. This saves the trouble of sequentially monitoring the presence / absence of a signal input from T2.
[0032]
Next, when the operator off-hooks the handset of the external telephone or performs a corresponding operation by a computer, a DC loop is formed, and the loop detection unit 5 detects this and transmits a detection signal to the main controller 2. (S602).
[0033]
Next, when the main controller 2 receives the detection signal from the loop detector 5, the connection switching controller 3 switches the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 from the contact E to the contact F. As shown in FIG. The telephone or the computer is connected to the main controller 2 through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact F, the contact J and the modem 1, and the main controller 2 can receive signals from the external telephone or the computer (S603). . Further, the external telephone or the computer is disconnected from the telephone line and the built-in telephone at the movable contact EF, and cannot receive a call from the external line or the built-in telephone.
[0034]
If the operator on-hooks the handset of the external telephone or performs an operation equivalent to this by the computer, the DC loop is cut, and the loop detection unit 5 detects this and detects it by the main controller 2. A signal is transmitted (S604).
[0035]
When the main control device 2 receives this detection signal, the connection switching control unit 3 switches the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 from the contact F to the contact E, and returns to the incoming call waiting shown in FIG. 1 (S601).
[0036]
Next, when the external telephone or computer transmits a signal requesting connection with an external device during the connection waiting shown in FIG. 2, the main control device 2 that has received the signal determines which external device is in accordance with the code type of the signal. It is identified whether a connection request is made with the device (S605). There are three types of signal codes: an external line connection code for requesting connection with an external line, a modem connection code for requesting connection with a modem, and an internal line connection code for requesting connection with an internal telephone. If the signal code starting with "0" is an external line connection code, the signal code starting with "7" is a modem connection code, the signal code starting with "3" is an extension telephone connection code, and set in the main controller 2 in advance. The identification can be easily performed.
[0037]
The connection switching control unit 3 switches the connection of each contact as follows based on the code of the signal identified by the main controller 2. Note that, by automatically switching each contact based on the type of the signal, it is possible to prevent malfunction and reliably perform desired connection switching.
[0038]
First, in the case of the external line connection cord (S606), the connection switching control unit 3 switches the movable contact EF of the switch SW3 from the contact F to the contact E, and the movable contact GH of the switch SW4 from the contact G to the contact H, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the external telephone or computer is connected to the telephone line through the external telephone / computer common terminal T2, the contact E, the contact D and the telephone line terminal T1, and transmits / receives an external line by the external telephone or the Internet by the computer. Network communication becomes possible (S607). In addition, the external telephone is disconnected from the internal telephone at the movable contact GH and cannot receive a call from the internal telephone.
[0039]
Next, in the case of the modem connection code (S608), the connection switching control unit 3 switches the movable contact AB of the switch SW1 from the contact A to the contact B, the movable contact GH of the switch SW4 from the contact G to the contact H, and the switch SW5. The movable contact IJ is switched from the contact J to the contact I, respectively, and as shown in FIG. The modem 1 is connected through the contact I, and transmission / reception with the main body of the facsimile apparatus becomes possible (S609). As a result, the facsimile apparatus can be used as a printer by transmitting data from the computer. Further, the computer is disconnected from the telephone line at the movable contact EF and cannot receive a call from the outside line.
[0040]
In this way, the switching control unit monitors the closing of the line of the shared terminal during connection standby, while giving an instruction to identify the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal after detecting the closing of the line, and after the switching control A plurality of operations such as data reception and data transfer to the print processing unit are executed, and the control efficiency of the apparatus is improved.
[0041]
Next, in the case of the extension telephone connection code (S610), the connection switching control unit 3 switches the movable contact GH of the switch SW4 from the contact G to the contact H, and the external telephone is an external telephone / computer as shown in FIG. The internal telephone is connected through the common terminal T2, the contact F, the contact H, and the built-in telephone terminal T3, and an extension call can be made (S611). Further, the external telephone is disconnected from the telephone line at the movable contact EF and cannot receive a call from the outside line.
[0042]
Thus, since the output signal from the device connected to the common terminal can be a code signal of a certain form and the connection control of the switching control means can be performed according to the code type, the single terminal can be an external telephone and an external modem. The operator can realize free connection switching by simple control without requiring any special setting or operation by simply connecting an external device to the common terminal.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the output signal transmitted based on the closing of the line by the device connected to the shared terminal is identified, the presence / absence of the signal input from the device connected to the shared terminal is determined. The trouble of sequential monitoring can be saved, the connected devices can be switched and controlled appropriately, and the circuit configuration can be simplified and the apparatus can be downsized while eliminating wasted space .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an incoming call waiting state of a facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection standby state of the facsimile machine with an external device switching function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of external line connection of the facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modem connection state of the facsimile machine with an external device switching function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a state of internal telephone connection of a facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure from the standby state of the facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to an embodiment of the present invention until connection between the devices is performed;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Modem 2 Main Controller 3 Connection Switching Control Unit T1 Telephone Line Terminal T2 External Telephone / Computer Shared Terminal T3 Built-in Telephone Terminal

Claims (6)

A telephone line connection terminal for connecting a telephone line, a common terminal capable of selectively connecting any one of an external telephone or an external modem connected to a computer, an internal modem for modulating / demodulating transmission / reception data, and the common terminal Switching control means for identifying an output signal transmitted based on the closing of the line by the equipment connected to the terminal and connecting the equipment connected to the shared terminal to either the telephone line or the internal modem. A facsimile machine with an external device switching function.   The switching control means connects the device to a telephone line when the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is an external line connection cord, and internally connects the device when the output signal is a modem connection code. 2. The facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is connected to a modem.   An internal telephone connection terminal for connecting an internal telephone, and when the output signal from the apparatus connected to the shared terminal is an internal telephone connection cord, the apparatus is connected to the internal telephone. Item 3. A facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to Item 2. The loop detection means for detecting the closing of the line is provided inside the apparatus, and the output signal from the device connected to the shared terminal is identified after the closing of the line is detected by the loop detecting means. A facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to claim 3.   The switching control means identifies the output signal from the equipment connected to the shared terminal by directly connecting the internal modem to the shared terminal after the line detection by the loop detecting means, and this output signal is a modem connection code. Then, the internal modem is connected to the shared terminal through a hybrid circuit, and data is received from a device connected to the shared terminal to execute printing. 5. A facsimile apparatus with an external device switching function according to any one of 4).   During standby, monitors the line closing detection of the shared terminal that can selectively connect either the external telephone or the external modem connected to the computer, and connects to the shared terminal after detecting the line closing of the shared terminal The output signal from the connected device is identified, and after the output signal is identified, switching control for connecting the device connected to the shared terminal to either the telephone line or the internal modem is performed according to the identification result A switching control method for a facsimile machine with an external device switching function.

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