JPH04196966A - Facsimile equipment which records communication protocol - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate necessity to increase the capacity of a memory for recording protocol data by successively recording the information of communication protocols to a magnetic recording means each time communication is executed. CONSTITUTION:When a communication end signal from a facsimile equipment on the transmission side is detected, a main control part 3 reads out the communication protocol data from a memory 5, turns a magnetic recording and reproducing device 11 to a recording state and applies the extracted communication protocol data through a recording and reproducing control part 10 to the magnetic recording and reproducing device 11. According to flow as mentioned above, the communication protocol data are recorded to the magnetic recording and reproducing device, and count values are stored in the memory 5. Since the communication protocol data can be recorded to a magnetic tape, the contents of the protocol data can be successively recorded each time communication is executed while effectively utilizing the easiness of attaching/detaching and carrying, low cost and large capacity as the features of the magnetic recording tape.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile device, and more particularly to a facsimile device that records a communication protocol during facsimile communication.

[Conventional technology] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional facsimile machine.

This facsimile device includes a modem 1 connected to a telephone line 13, a modem control section 2 for controlling the modem 1, a memory 5 for storing communication protocols and image data, and a memory control section 4 for controlling the memory 5. and printing device 7
, a print control section 6 for controlling the printing device 7, a key 9 for operating the facsimile device, a key control section 8 for controlling the key 9, the modem control section 2, the memory control section 4, the printing It includes a main control section 3 for controlling a control section 6 and a key control section 8 .

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine shown in FIG. 4 will be explained based on the communication procedure shown in FIG.

Here, phase A is a sequence for calling the facsimile machine on the receiving side and establishing a telephone line.

Phase B is a sequence for checking the status of the receiving facsimile machine, telephone line, etc., and controlling the transmitting and receiving facsimile machines.

Phase C is a sequence for transmitting image data. Phase D is a sequence for completing image data transmission and confirming reception. Phase E is a sequence for restoring the call, that is, disconnecting the line after communication is completed. The operation of the facsimile machine shown in FIG. 4 will be explained based on the above general communication procedure.

First, when the telephone line connection is established in phase A, the process moves to phase B, and the status of the receiving side facsimile machine, telephone line 13, etc. is checked. These pieces of information are sent as analog modulated signals from the destination facsimile machine via the telephone line. This sent analog modulation signal is input to the modem 1. The modem 1 demodulates the analog input signal into a digital signal and provides the demodulated data to the main controller 3 through the modem controller 2.

The main controller 3 operates the memory controller 4 and stores the demodulated digital signal in the memory 5.

Next, move on to phase C. Moving to phase C, analog modulated image data from the telephone line 13 is input to the modem 1, where it is demodulated into a digital signal. The demodulated digital signal is temporarily stored in the memory 5 via the modem control section 2, main control section 3, and memory control section 4. Thereafter, the main control section 3 decodes the encoded digital signal and sends it to the printing device 7 through the print control section 6. The printing device 7 prints the transmitted data on recording paper based on the decoded image data.

After printing, phase D and then phase E are stored in the memory 5 in the same manner as the recording of phase B.

As described above, the facsimile machine on the receiving side can store the communication protocol and the communication status of phases A to E. The stored communication protocol includes the destination facsimile machine's manufacturer code, data signal speed,
Information such as document size, image quality, encoding method, and signal level of image data is included. These are important means for analyzing the cause when an error occurs when communicating with another facsimile machine and communication is not possible.

To retrieve the contents of the communication protocol, first operate the key 9 for calling up the communication protocol.

In response to this key operation, the key control section 8 notifies the main control section 3 that there is a communication protocol call command. In response, the main control section 3 controls the memory control section 4 to read out the protocol data stored in the memory 5. This read data is given to the printing device 7 through the print control section 6, where it is printed on recording paper.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the above-described facsimile device stores the protocol data in the memory 5 made of semiconductor, when the next communication is performed, the contents of the previous communication are lost due to memory constraints. I'm trying to make it disappear.

Therefore, in the case where certain image data cannot be recorded, it is currently impossible to check the communication protocol later. To solve this problem, increasing the memory capacity may be considered, but since checking the communication protocol is not a function normally used by users, increasing the memory capacity for monitoring the communication protocol is not recommended. This is not desirable because it leads to an increase in costs. It is also conceivable to print out protocol data each time there is communication in order to confirm the communication protocol, but this is inconvenient. Furthermore, if the communication protocol is stored in memory, the contents will be lost when the device is powered off, making it impossible to analyze the protocol at another location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device that is easy to carry and can sequentially record communication protocols on a large-capacity magnetic recording means.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a magnetic recording means capable of recording information handled by the facsimile apparatus, and a protocol for facsimile communication in the magnetic recording means. Features [Function] characterized by comprising: a recording control means for recording information on the magnetic recording means; a reproduction control means for reproducing the protocol information recorded on the magnetic recording means; and an output means for outputting the reproduced information. The present invention operates as follows. That is, the recording control means sequentially stores the communication protocol in the magnetic recording means every time there is communication. When the user performs an operation to print a communication protocol, the reproduction control means reproduces the desired communication protocol, and the a-man means can print and confirm the reproduction. This makes it convenient for installing, repairing, and inspecting facsimile devices. Furthermore, magnetic recording means is less expensive and more convenient to carry than semiconductor storage devices, and does not require backup in the event of a power outage.

[Embodiment] The facsimile apparatus of the present invention described above will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. This facsimile machine
Unlike the facsimile device shown in the figure, a magnetic recording/reproducing device 1
1, a recording/reproducing control section 10 for controlling a magnetic recording/reproducing device 11, and a counter detecting section 12 for detecting a recording position of a communication protocol. The memory 5 stores the count value of the number of rotations of the magnetic tape. After the communication is completed, the main control section 3 extracts the communication protocol data from all the communicated data, and passes the extracted communication protocol data through the recording/reproduction control section 10 to the magnetic recording/reproduction bag ff1i!
Give to 11.

The operation of this facsimile machine in phases A-E is similar to that of the facsimile machine shown in FIG. The operation of this device is characterized by recording and calling the communication protocol after the communication is completed.

The operation of this facsimile machine will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation from the end of communication to the recording of the communication protocol. In step 1,
When a communication end signal is detected from the sending facsimile machine, the main control unit 3 stores the memory 5 in step 2.
Read communication protocol data from. Next, in step 3, the magnetic recording and reproducing bag ft1l is put into a recording state, and the extracted communication protocol data is provided to the magnetic recording and reproducing device 11 through the recording and reproducing control section 1o. According to the above flow, the communication protocol data is recorded in the magnetic recording/reproducing device, and the count value is stored in the memory 5.

Next, the printing operation of the recorded communication protocol data will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 1, it is determined whether or not there has been a manual key operation for instructing the calling of communication protocol data.

If there is a key manual operation, in step 2,
The magnetic recording/reproducing device 11 is fast forwarded or rewound to move the tape up to the count value stored in the memory 5.

When the count values match in step 3, the magnetic recording device is put into a playback state in step 4, and in step 5, the communication protocol data from the magnetic recording and playback device 11 is transmitted through the recording and playback control unit 10 and the main control unit 3 to control printing. The signal is supplied to the printing unit 6 and is further supplied to the printing device 7 through the printing control unit 6. Communication protocol data is printed on recording paper by this printing device ff7.

According to this embodiment described above, communication protocol data can be recorded on the magnetic tape, so the characteristics of magnetic recording tape such as ease of attachment/detachment and portability, low cost, and large capacity can be utilized for communication. Each time you do
It is possible to record the contents of protocol data sequentially. Therefore, the contents of the protocol data in the previous communication are permanently saved.

It is also easy to search for the recording position of necessary protocol data from among the protocol data recorded on the magnetic tape based on the stored tape count value.

Furthermore, in the future when the display section of facsimile machines becomes larger, it will be possible to quickly display the contents of the communication protocol data recorded on the cassette in sequence, and it will also be possible to print only the necessary protocol data. can. Furthermore, recently, there are devices that integrate a facsimile device and a telephone device that has a so-called answering machine function that records business messages from the other party, and the present invention can also be applied to such devices. can. In this case, not only communication protocols but also business messages can be recorded on the magnetic tape, further improving convenience.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention described above uses a recording control means that can sequentially record communication protocol information on a magnetic recording means every time there is communication, so the capacity of the memory for recording protocol data is reduced. There is no need to increase Therefore, economical efficiency is improved. Furthermore, since the communication protocol is recorded sequentially for each communication, the previous communication system protocol is not erased each time the next reception is made, as in the conventional example. Furthermore, it is possible to retrieve desired communication protocol data from all the recorded communication protocol data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operations from the end of communication to recording of the communication protocol, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the printing operation of the recorded communication protocol. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional facsimile machine; FIG.
The figure is a diagram showing a communication procedure in a facsimile machine. In the figure, 1 is a modem, 2 is a modem control section, 3 is a main control section, 4 is a memory control section, 5 is a memory, 6 is a print control section, 7 is a printing device, 8 is a key control section, 9 is a key, 10 is a recording/reproduction control section, 11 is a magnetic recording/reproduction device, and 12 is a counter detection section. (2 other people) -- Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 7 "x) L-=p') □ Yomei Sho 3 Phase C image def'-f □

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A magnetic recording means capable of recording information handled by a facsimile machine, a recording control means for recording protocol information during facsimile communication on the magnetic recording means, A facsimile device for recording a communication protocol, comprising: a reproduction control means for reproducing protocol information; and an output means for outputting the reproduced information.