JPH04314253A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simply grasp the communication state by forming a display section with light emitting elements and changing the blink state of the light emitting elements in response to each stage of the communication state. CONSTITUTION:A control section 1 controls the transmission reception based on a control program stored in a ROM 3. An off-hook switch 80 on an operation panel 8 is depressed and a destination facsimile number is entered by using a ten-key 81. When a communication key 82 is depressed, the control section 1 reads a destination telephone number stored in a RAM 2 and the telephone number is dialed to a telephone number 6 via an automatic dialer 4 and a network controller NCU 7. When the destination is in the receptible state and it is confirmed by the blink state of a communication monitor 83 being light emitting elements, a picture data of an original read by a read section 10 is outputted to the line 6. Since the reception operation is similarly implemented by driving a recording section 11, the communication state is simply grasped in the blink state of the monitor 83.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine equipped with a monitor that can monitor communication status.

0002

[Prior Art] In general, a facsimile machine performs a transmission operation in which image information read by a reading section is converted into an electrical signal and sent to a telephone line, and an electrical signal received from the telephone line is converted into image information and printed on recording paper. A receiving operation to print out is performed. By the way, various types of facsimile machines are introduced on the market, from low-end models to high-end models, in terms of their functionality. For example, regarding the calling function of a destination facsimile machine, high-end machines can make automatic calls, whereas many low-grade machines require manual calls.

By the way, when making a manual call,
When transmitting image information to the other party, the caller hooks off the handset and dials, and after the other party detects a 16Hz ring tone and recognizes that the other party has hooked off, the caller communicates verbally and sends the facsimile device to the phone. Connect to the line. On the other hand, in the case of an automatic call, after the facsimile machine is connected to the line, the calling party sends a 0.5 second 1100 Hz tone (
CNG signal) is sent out intermittently with a pause period of 3 seconds. Therefore, from the other party, the called party, the frequency is 2100Hz.
The tone (CED signal) is sent for 2.6 to 4.0 seconds.

Next, after the above-mentioned calling operation is performed, the facsimile machine prepares for transmitting a facsimile message, such as checking the transmission/reception preparation state of the terminal, displaying and determining terminal constants, and confirming the synchronization state. That is, the called party sends out the digital identification signal DIS following the CED signal. This DIS
The calling side that has received the signal sends out a digital command signal DCS, and subsequently sends out a training check signal TCF. The called party then returns a reception ready signal CFR.

[0005] After receiving the CFR signal, the calling party transmits a facsimile message. Furthermore, when one page of messages is completed, a message end signal EOM is sent. In response, the called party receives a message confirmation signal MC.
Respond with F. Note that in a facsimile machine that has the ability to send out a plurality of documents without human intervention, the same signal exchange starting from sending out the CNG signal is repeated. When the transmission of the message is completed, reception is confirmed and the facsimile machine is disconnected from the telephone line.

[0006]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] When communicating between facsimile machines in this way, various signals are exchanged (communication handshake) between the calling side and the called side.
Is required. In this case, if the calling party is a low-grade facsimile machine, there is an inconvenience that communication must proceed while confirming the stage of the communication handshake. For example, when calling a destination facsimile machine, it is necessary to pick up the handset and actually listen to the dial tone and CED signal of the destination before operating the communication key, which is very inconvenient to use. Furthermore, if the destination facsimile machine is not in a state where it can receive data, there is also the inconvenience of having to hold the handset and wait until it becomes possible to send to the destination.

[0007] Therefore, in order to be able to perform a transmission operation without leaving the handset, it is necessary to know at what stage the above-mentioned communication handshake is. As a way to do this, it is possible to install a display, such as that used in high-end models, and display messages such as ``Dialing in progress'' or ``Please press the communication key.'' However, in such cases, it is necessary to This would result in higher costs, which would eliminate the original advantage of a low-grade machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the current situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device that can easily grasp the communication status.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, a facsimile apparatus has a display section made of a light emitting element, and the display section changes the blinking state of the light emitting element in accordance with each stage of the communication state. It is characterized by

0010

[Operation] According to the above structure, the facsimile machine is equipped with a display section made of a light emitting element. This display section has several blinking patterns of the light emitting elements, and each blinking pattern corresponds to each stage of the communication state in the facsimile machine. Then, the display section executes each blinking pattern of the light emitting elements in accordance with each stage of the communication state of the facsimile machine.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. This facsimile machine includes a control unit 1, a RAM 2, a ROM 3, an autodialer 4, a modem (modulator/demodulator) 5, an NCU (network control unit) 7 connected to a telephone line 6, and a handset 9.
an operation panel 8, a reading section 10, and a recording section 11.
It consists of The modem 5 modulates and demodulates transmitted and received signals, and the NCU 7 controls the connection between the facsimile machine and the telephone line 6.

A handset 9 is also provided on the operation panel 8.
An off-hook switch 80 that allows off-hook operation while leaving the fax number on, a numeric keypad 81 for setting the recipient's fax number, a communication key 82 for transmitting document information, and one LED as a blinking element. A communication monitor 83 for monitoring communication status and various other keys (not shown) such as speed dial keys are provided.

The control unit 1 controls the transmission and reception operations of this facsimile machine based on a control program stored in the ROM 3. The basic transmission operation is as follows. When the operator turns on the off-hook switch 80 on the operation panel 8, inputs the recipient's fax number using the numeric keypad 81, and then turns on the communication key 82, the control unit 1 displays the recipient's phone stored in the RAM 2. Read the number, and the read phone number will be displayed on auto dialer 4 and N.
A dial call is made to the telephone line 6 via the CU 7. Next, when it is confirmed by the blinking state of the communication monitor 83 that the destination facsimile machine is ready to receive data,
The image data of the original read by the reading section 10 is sent to the telephone line 6 via the modem 5 and NCU 7. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the control unit 1 disconnects the facsimile device from the telephone line 6.

Regarding the basic receiving operation, when received information is received from the other party via the telephone line 6, NCU 7 and modem 5, the control section 1 drives the recording section 11 to record the received information. let Next, a processing procedure for causing the communication monitor 83 to blink in accordance with the communication status of the facsimile machine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the off-hook switch 80 is turned on (S1)
, the communication monitor 83 lights up (S2). Furthermore, numeric keypad 8
1, the destination fax number is input (S3)
Further, when the communication key 82 is turned on (S4), the communication monitor 83 blinks (S5). This blinking state indicates that the other party's facsimile device is being called, and is, for example, repeatedly turned on for 1 second and turned off for 0.5 seconds (pattern 1).

Next, when it is confirmed that the calling signal has arrived at the destination facsimile machine (S6), the communication monitor 8
3 flashes in a different pattern (S7). This blinking state indicates that a handshake is being performed between the communicating facsimile machines until the other party's facsimile machine reaches a state where it can receive image data.For example, it lights up for one second. , off for 0.5 seconds, on for 0.5 seconds, off for 0.5 seconds, on for 1 second, off for 0.5 seconds 0
．． It is assumed that the light is turned on for 5 seconds and turned off for 0.5 seconds (pattern 2).

Next, when the handshake is completed (S8
), the communication monitor 83 blinks in a different pattern (
S9). This blinking state indicates that image data is being transmitted, and for example, the light is turned on for 0.5 seconds and turned off for 0.5 seconds repeatedly (pattern 3). Next, when it is confirmed that the image data transmission is completed and the facsimile device is disconnected from the telephone line 6 (S10),
The communication monitor 83 is turned off (S11). Although not shown, the blinking states of the blinking patterns 1, 2, and 3 of the communication monitor 83 described above are time-managed by the control unit 1.

[0017]

According to the present invention as described above, since the display unit made of light emitting elements changes its blinking state in accordance with each stage of the communication state, by checking the blinking state, the destination facsimile device can It becomes possible to accurately transmit image data to the computer using only key operations. Therefore, the inconvenience of picking up the handset, listening to the dial tone or CED signal, and then starting image data transmission is alleviated.

Furthermore, when the other party is in a state where reception is not possible, it can be confirmed that the call is continuing from the blinking state of the light emitting element, and also, when the other party is in a state where reception is possible, it can be confirmed that the call is continuing. Since this can be confirmed by the blinking state, it is possible to immediately start transmitting image data. Therefore, it is much easier to use than before. In addition,
Since the light emitting elements used in the display section, such as LED elements, are extremely inexpensive, it is possible to clearly check the communication status of a low-grade facsimile machine without installing an expensive display. Therefore, it does not increase the cost of low-grade machines, and further improves its functionality.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for blinking a communication monitor in accordance with the communication status of a facsimile device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Control section 2 RAM 8 Operation panel 80 Off-hook switch 84 Communication monitor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile machine comprising a display section comprising a light emitting element, the display section changing the blinking state of the light emitting element in accordance with each stage of the communication state.