JPH0269036A - Data communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the utilization efficiency of the circuit of the title equipment by notifying the originating side address to incoming side equipment when a call is made and, when the incoming side equipment is busy and cannot accept the incoming call, immediately informing the equipment of the originating side address of a usable state and asking the originating equipment to make recalling operations when the incoming side equipment becomes usable. CONSTITUTION:When equipment receives a signal requesting call connection through a communication line 109 while the equipment processes a call or makes communication and cannot accept any other call, a central control circuit 103 informs the originating side equipment of the unacceptable state of the incoming side equipment after the circuit 103 tentatively stores the originating side address information in a incoming call registering memory 107. When the circuit 103 discriminates that the incoming side equipment can accept the call thereafter, the circuit 103 instructs a protocol process circuit 102 to issue an acceptance permit to the originating side subscriber's equipment when the originating side address information is registered in the memory 107.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device for exchanging audio, image, document, and other data with a remote party.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In conventional data communication devices, such as facsimile machines, if a call cannot be accepted due to the other party's device being busy, it is possible to make the call available to the other party's device by repeating the call again after an appropriate period of time. It waits for this to occur and then sends the data to the other device. Also, JP-A-62-29
There is also a method of setting the time for communication with the partner device, using a configuration as shown in Japanese Patent No. 343. The conventional data communication system will be explained below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, 601, 606, and 607 are device A, device B, device C, 605 is a switch, and 610, 6
11°612 is a communication line connecting each device and the exchange. For more details, see 602, 603,
Reference numeral 604 constitutes the control system of device A, and indicates a central control circuit that controls the entire device, a memory that stores information necessary for control, and a line interface circuit that ensures electrical and physical compatibility with the line. .

The operation of the above configuration will be briefly described below.

Now, assume that device A is communicating with device B via lines 610 and 611 and exchange 605. At this time, from device C to device A, line 612, exchange 605, line 610
If there is an incoming call via a vacant channel, the line interface circuit 604 notifies the central control circuit 602 via the signal line 609. Since the central control circuit is using resources for receiving transmission data from device C, it sets the communication time for device C, and sends the information to line 610 via signal line 609 and line interface circuit 604. on a vacant channel, switch 605, line 6
12 to device C. At the same time, the communication time setting is stored in the memory 603 via the signal line 608. Even after device A finishes communicating with device B, it waits until the time set with device C, and similarly, device C waits until the time specified by device A. When the set time comes,
Device A will communicate with device C from now on.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned methods, for example, a method in which a timer is provided for re-calling and the re-call is made when the timer times out, or a method in which a time is set with the other party's device,
There have been problems such as the need to set a slightly longer time because the amount of data to be sent is not known in advance or the communication line is in poor condition and retransmissions occur frequently, resulting in poor line efficiency.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the usage status of a line when device Z performs data communication with a plurality of devices using a conventional data communication method. This will be explained in more detail using FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, A, B, C, and D are partner devices 701
, 703 , 707 , 709 are those in which the call was accepted and communication was possible during call setup, 702 , 704 , 705
, 706 and 708 indicate that the call was not accepted during call setup. tl, t2, ts, t4.
ts is the timer timeout time or communication setting time,
Tl, T2. T3 indicates the idle time of the line.

In FIG. 7, first, device Z is communicating with device A 701
There was an incoming call 703 from device B, but it was not accepted. After time t1 has elapsed, device B calls again and is now communicating with device Z (703). During this time, there was an incoming call 704 to device Z from device C, but it was not accepted. Device #C called again 705 after time t2 had elapsed, but this call was also not accepted. Also, at this time, there is an incoming call 7 from the device to the device ZK.
08, but this was also not accepted. After time t5 elapsed, the device called again and became 709 in communication with device Z. Device C tried to call again 7o6 after time t3 had elapsed, but the call was not accepted because device Z was already communicating with device Z. Device C called again after time t4 had elapsed and became in communication with device Z (707). During this time, the time lines of TI+T2+T3 were not used.

In this way, with conventional methods, it is not possible to correctly know when the other party's communication has ended, resulting in wasted waiting time, or a call that occurs later during the waiting process is already in progress, causing further waiting. There were issues such as:

The present invention is intended to solve the problems as described above, and aims to use lines more effectively.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides, for a device having a transmission function, a first notification means that notifies the calling party address end-to-end when a call is made, and a first notification means that notifies the calling party address from end to end when the call is made, If
After that, when the destination device becomes able to receive a call and receives a notification from the destination device that it can receive a call, it has a re-calling means that makes a call again. and a second notification means for notifying the device having the temporarily stored address of the sender that it is now ready to receive information when the communication ends. This achieves the above objectives.

Effects The present invention has the above configuration, and when a signal notifying a transmission request including sender address information is received from another device when the line for receiving data is not available or the device is not in a state where it can receive data. , the address information is temporarily stored in memory, and when the line is free and the device is able to receive, it notifies the other device at the address that it is now able to receive, and the other device confirms that it is able to receive. By waiting for the notification, notifying the transmission request including the sender address information again, and then transmitting data based on a predetermined procedure, the idle time of the line caused by setting the waiting time is reduced. This makes it possible to improve line usage efficiency.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a destination device having a receiving function of a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a line interface circuit that performs electrical signal control of the line, 102 is a protocol processing circuit, 103 is a central control circuit, 104 is a selection circuit that selectively connects the information channels to be used, and 105 is a coded 106 is an output circuit that displays the obtained data in a human-understandable form; 107 is an incoming call registration memory that temporarily stores address information at the time of an incoming call; 108 is a timer used for time limit, 109 is a communication line, and 110 to 119 are signal lines for exchanging data and control signals.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained below.

When the line interface circuit 101 receives a signal sent via the communication line 109, it converts it into a signal form internal to the device and sends it to the protocol processing circuit 1 via the signal line 110.
Send to 02. The protocol processing circuit 102 confirms the format of the received signal, and transmits a signal with a predetermined procedure and format based on the type of the received signal to the exchange via the signal line 1101, the line interface circuit 101, and the exaggeration line 109. or send it to the central control circuit 103 via the signal line 111. When the device is in a state where it can accept a call, when the protocol processing circuit 102 receives a signal notifying an incoming call from the line interface circuit 101, the protocol processing circuit 1
02 notifies this to the central control circuit 103. The central control circuit 103 determines whether or not a new incoming call can be accepted based on the usage status of the channel, and when confirming that the call can be accepted, notifies the protocol processing circuit 102 of permission to accept the call. Protocol processing circuit 1
In step 02, call processing proceeds based on signals received from the line interface circuit 101 and the central control circuit 103.

When the central control circuit 103 is notified of the channel to be connected from the protocol processing circuit 102, it issues a channel connection instruction to the selection circuit 104 via the signal line 113 regarding the notified channel. When the central control circuit 103 receives a signal indicating that communication is possible from the protocol processing circuit 102 and enters a communicating state, it instructs the inverse conversion circuit 105 to start inverse conversion via the signal line 115. At the same time, the central control circuit 103 transmits a control signal via the signal line 117 to the output circuit 106 instructing it to start outputting. The inverse conversion circuit 105 inversely converts the data received via the signal line 114 and sends the result to the signal line 116.

The output circuit 106 receives the control signal from the central control circuit 103 and outputs the data on the signal line 116.

When the communication is completed, the protocol processing circuit 102 connects the signal line 110 and the line interface circuit 10 with the partner device.
1. Signals are exchanged via the communication line 109 based on a call release procedure. When notified of the channel release from the Toki protocol processing circuit 102, the central control circuit 103 instructs the selection circuit 104 to release the previously selected channel.

Upon receiving the channel release instruction, the selection circuit 104 releases the designated channel. Furthermore, the central control circuit 103 records an incoming call registration memo! j Clear the information regarding the call in 107.

Here, if a signal requesting call connection is received via the communication line 109 while the device is processing a call or communicating and cannot accept any more calls, the protocol processing circuit 102 The central control circuit 103 is notified via the signal line 111 that there is a call. Central control circuit 103
determines whether new incoming calls can be accepted based on the channel usage status, etc., and if it determines that the call cannot be accepted, it stores the calling party address information in the incoming call registration memo January 7. The post-protocol processing circuit 102 is notified that acceptance is not possible. In response to this, the protocol processing circuit 102 notifies the originating device via the signal line 110, line interface circuit 101, and communication line 109 that the request cannot be accepted.

The central control circuit 103 monitors whether the device is in a state where it can accept a call, and when it determines that the device can accept a call, it checks whether the calling party address information is registered in the incoming call registration memory 107, and if it is registered, it processes the protocol. circuit 102
The receptionist then instructs the originating subscriber equipment having that address to issue permission. Upon receiving this, the protocol processing circuit 102 notifies the originating device of the acceptance via the signal line 109, the line interface circuit 101, and the communication line 108.

3 shows an example of a more detailed processing procedure regarding incoming call processing by the central control circuit 103 in FIG. 1.

An example of the processing procedure will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the initial state or when a certain communication is completed, it is checked in 301 whether or not the other party's subscriber number is registered in the incoming call registration memory 107. If there is no registration, the process advances to 314 and waits for an incoming call, and if there is an incoming call, the process advances to 309. . If there is registration in 301, 302
Then, the device with the subscriber number of the other party registered in the oldest call registration memo IJ107 is notified that reception is possible. After this, in order to preferentially wait for the incoming call from the subscriber's device notified in 303, the timer 108 is started.In 03o4, it is checked whether or not the timer 108 has timed out.If it has timed out, the process advances to 315 and the notification is completed. Incoming call registration memo 1J with the oldest registered subscriber number
Delete from 107. Then, the process returns to 301 and the same procedure is repeated. 30 without timing out with 304
If there is an incoming call in step 5, the process proceeds to 306, and if the call is from the subscriber device of the oldest registered destination in the incoming call registration memo IJ107, which was previously notified, the process proceeds to 307. If the call is from another device, the other party's subscriber number is registered in the incoming call registration memory 107 in step 316, and the process proceeds to step 304. In this way, the incoming call is awaited until the timer 108 times out. If there is an incoming call from the notified subscriber's device before the timer 108 times out, the timer 108 is stopped in 307, and the oldest registered subscriber number in the incoming call registration memory 107 is deleted in 308. do. Continued 30
At step 9, data is received based on the data format and communication procedure agreed upon in advance between the devices. 3 between communication procedures
At 10, it is checked whether or not there is an incoming call. If there is no incoming call, the process goes to 313. If there is an incoming call, the other party's subscriber number is registered in the incoming call registration memory 107 at 311, and then at 312 the other party's device is registered. Notify that the call is currently not accepted. If the communication has ended in 313 after this, 301
If the process has not finished, the process returns to 309 to continue receiving data.

In FIG. 3, a case is shown in which a notification is given to the other party's subscriber equipment in the order in which they are registered in the incoming call registration memory 107 that the call is now available, and a time limit is set for waiting for incoming calls from the other party. However, it is also possible to accept the first call that arrives after it becomes possible to accept calls. In this case, the timer 108 for waiting becomes unnecessary, and in FIG. 3, it is sufficient to execute step 315 after the step 302, and the steps 303 to 308 and 316 become unnecessary.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the originating device having a transmission function will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the originating device of the data communication device in one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 201 is a line interface circuit that performs electrical signal control of the line; 202 is a protocol processing circuit;
03 is a central control circuit, 204 is a selection circuit that selectively connects the information channel to be used, 205 is a buffer memory that stores encoded transmission data, 206 is a conversion circuit that encodes input data, and 207 is a data converter. 208 is a call registration memory that stores information necessary for call control; 209 is a timer; 210 is a communication line; 21
1 to 223 are signal lines for exchanging data and control signals.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained below.

First, the input circuit 207 inputs information necessary for making a call, such as the address of the other party, and notifies the central control circuit 203 via the signal line 220 of the occurrence of human power. The central control circuit 203 issues a write instruction to the call registration memory 208 via a signal line 222, and stores information necessary for making a call into the call registration memory 208 via a signal line 221. After inputting the other party's address, etc., the central control circuit 203 instructs the input circuit 207 to start inputting transmission data. The input circuit 207 receives this and inputs transmission data such as characters and images.

The central control circuit 203 notifies the conversion circuit 206 via the signal line 218 of the start of conversion. In the conversion circuit 206,
The data received via the signal line 219 is encoded and output to the signal line 217. The transmission data encoded and converted in this manner is temporarily stored in a predetermined position of the buffer memory 205 based on instructions from the central control circuit 203.

Further, the central control circuit 203 reads out the registered information necessary for calling from the call registration memory 208 via the signal line 222 and transmits a call request to the protocol processing circuit 202 via the signal line 212. At the same time, the central control circuit 203 starts a timer 209 for each call in order to re-call if the call is unsuccessful. The protocol processing circuit 102 converts the call request signal from the central control circuit 203 into a signal in a predetermined format and sends it to the signal line 21.
1 to the line interface circuit 201.

The line interface circuit 201 converts the received signal into a signal format for being carried on the communication line, and sends it to the communication line 210. The line interface circuit 201 also receives a signal sent via the communication line 210, converts it into a signal form internal to the device, and transmits it to the protocol processing circuit 202 via the signal line 211. The protocol processing circuit 202 thus proceeds with call processing between the exchange and the destination device based on the predetermined procedure.

Here, if it is notified that the call cannot be accepted because the other party's device is in use, etc., the protocol processing circuit 202
notifies this to the central control circuit 203. The central control circuit 203 accepts new data input from the input circuit 207 until it receives a timeout notification from the timer 208 or is notified from the protocol processing circuit 202 that communication is possible with the other device. By the described procedure, the call registration memory 208 and the buffer memory 205 are
You can register and make calls. timer 209
If a timeout notification is received from the central control circuit 2,
03 reads the registered information necessary for making a call from the call registration memory 208 via the signal line 222.
12 to the protocol processing circuit 202, and the calling operation is performed again in the same procedure as described above. Furthermore, if the central control circuit 203 is notified by the protocol processing circuit 202 that the other party's device is now ready to accept the call before receiving the timeout notification, the timer 209 for the call is stopped. and perform the calling operation again using the same procedure as described above.

The central control circuit 203 also includes a protocol processing circuit 202.
When the channel to be connected is notified from the selection circuit 204 via the signal line 214 regarding the notified channel.
Issues channel connection instructions to.

When the central control circuit 203 receives a signal indicating that the partner device has responded from the protocol processing circuit 202 and enters the communication state, it reads the transmission data for the call from the buffer memory onto the signal line 215 via the signal line 216. . The read data is sent to the protocol processing circuit 202 via the channel of the signal line 213 selected by the selection circuit 204, and then to the line interface circuit 201 and the communication line 2.
10 to the other party's device.

When the communication is completed, the protocol processing circuit 202 connects the signal line 211 and the line interface circuit 2 with the other device.
01, signals are exchanged via the communication line 210 based on a call release procedure. At this time, when notified of channel release from the protocol processing circuit 202, the central control circuit 203 instructs the selection circuit 204 to release the previously selected channel. Upon receiving the channel release instruction, the selection circuit 204 releases the designated channel. Furthermore, the information and transmission data regarding the call in the call registration memory 208 and buffer memory 205 are cleared.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a more detailed processing procedure regarding call processing of the central control circuit 203 in FIG. 2. An example of the processing procedure will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the initial state or when a certain communication is completed, the presence or absence of a call request from the input circuit 207 is checked in 401, and if there is a call request, the other party's subscriber number is registered in the call registration memory 208 in 403, Furthermore, when a signal notifying that the other party's device is ready to receive the call is received, the ready reception flag is set to OFF.
Initialize to F. Subsequently, in step 404, a call is made to the device having the subscriber number of the other party, and in step 405, a timer 209 is started for re-calling if the call is not successful. Here, in 406, it is checked whether or not a response signal has been received from the other party's device. If it has been received, the process advances to 407; if not, the process advances to 414. If a response signal is received, the timer 209 for re-calling the device with the subscriber number is stopped in step 407, and data is transmitted in step 408 according to a predetermined procedure between the devices. Also, in 409, it is checked whether or not there is a notification that reception is possible from another device during communication, and if it has been received, in 410, the receivable reception flag corresponding to the other party's subscriber number in the call registration memory 208 is set. Turn it on. After this, in 411, it is determined whether the communication has ended, and if the communication has not ended, the process returns to 408 and continues receiving data.
If the call has ended, the process advances to 412 to clear the information regarding the call in the call registration memory 208, and then returns to 401.

If there is no call request from the input circuit 207 in 401, the process advances to 402 to check whether call information is registered in the call registration memory 208, and if not, returns to 401 to issue a call request from the input circuit 207. wait. If there is registration, the process advances to 406 to check whether there is a response from the partner device. If there is no response from the partner device, it is checked in step 413 if the partner device has notified that the call cannot be accepted due to reasons such as device usage, and if so, the receivable reception flag is turned off in step 414. Further, in 415, it is checked whether or not a notification indicating that reception is possible has been received, and if so, in 417, the receivable reception flag for the relevant subscriber number is turned on, and the process proceeds to 41B. If the notification that reception is possible has not been received in 415, the process advances to 416 to check whether there is any timeout in the re-calling timer 209, and if not, the process advances to 401; if there is, the process advances to 418. 418
Then, a re-call is made to the device of the subscriber number whose receivable reception flag is ON or whose re-call timer 209 has timed out.

Next, in 419, the re-calling timer 209 for the device with the subscriber number is started, and the process proceeds to 406.

The usage status of the line when communication is performed using the originating device and the terminating device described above will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the line usage situation when a destination device Z having a receiving function performs data communication with a plurality of originating devices having a sending function using the data communication device according to the present invention. It is. In FIG. 5, A, B, C, and D are calling party devices with transmission functions, 501 , 503 , 505
, 507 indicate those in which the call was accepted and communication was possible during call setup, and 502, 504, and 506 indicate those in which the call was not accepted during call setup.

In FIG. 5, first, device Z is communicating with device A 501
There was an incoming call 502 from device B, but it was not accepted. Immediately after completing the communication with device A, device Z notifies device B that it is ready for reception. Upon receiving this, device B makes a re-call and is now communicating with device Z (503). Next, while device Z was communicating with device B, an incoming call from device C was received at 503, but the call was not accepted.

Immediately after completing communication with device B, device Z notifies device C that it is ready for reception, and device C receives this and makes a re-call.
505 while communicating with Z. Furthermore, while device Z was communicating with device C, there was an incoming call from device C at 505, but the call was not accepted. Immediately after completing the communication with device C, device Z notifies device 2 that it can receive the message, and upon receiving this, device 2 makes a call again and is now communicating with device Z (507).

In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform communication without wasting idle time on the communication line, as is clear even when compared with the example of the conventional method shown in FIG. 7, and the line can be used effectively. It is measured.

As shown in the above explanation, according to this embodiment, when the other party's device is in use, when the other party's device becomes available for use, receiving a notification from the other party's device that reception is possible. This makes it possible to communicate more quickly and efficiently.

Note that the timer for re-calling described in this embodiment is not necessarily necessary as long as the other device has a function of notifying the calling device that reception is possible when reception becomes possible; If not used, 4 in Figure 4
05, 407, 416.

If the process at 419 is not necessary, and if there is no notification that reception is possible at 415, the process advances to 401, and the process at 418 when the re-call timer times out is unnecessary. In this case as well, it is possible to communicate more quickly and efficiently.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, when a call is made, the destination device is notified of the calling party's address, and if the destination device does not accept the call because the device is in use, it is notified when the device becomes available. By immediately notifying the device of the calling party address that it is available and prompting the calling party to make a re-call, it is possible to eliminate wasted idle time on the line without repeating unnecessary calls.
As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of line usage, and the effect is significant.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block wiring diagram of a destination device of a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmission device of a data communication device in the same embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the call processing procedure for an incoming call in the central control circuit in FIG.
Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram explaining the line usage situation when communication is performed using the data communication device of the same embodiment, Fig. 6 is a block wiring diagram of the conventional data communication device, and Fig. 7 is the conventional data communication device. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the usage status of a line when communication is performed using a data communication method. 101, 201... line interface circuit, 102
．． 202...Protocol processing circuit, 103.203
... central control circuit, 104.204 ... selection circuit,
105... Inverse conversion circuit, 106... Output circuit, 10
7... Incoming call registration memory, 108° 209... Timer, 205... Buffer memory, 206... Conversion circuit, 207... Input circuit, 208... Outgoing call registration memory. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person

Claims (1)

[Claims] When transmitting and receiving data via a communication line, a device having a transmission function includes a first notification means for notifying a calling party's address to a called party's device when a call is made; If the other device receives a notification that the other device is ready to receive a call, the device has a re-calling means that re-calls the call upon receiving a notification that the other device is able to receive the call. a storage means for temporarily storing the caller's address, and a second notification for notifying the device of the temporarily stored caller's address that the call can be received after the call can be accepted; A data communication device having means.