JPH053534A - Facsimile communication controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the facsimile communication controller to reduce vain time caused by disabling normal communication and a call tariff and to improve operability and reliability by judging the state of a reception side power source and the temperature environment on the transmission side and deciding the possibility of transmission. CONSTITUTION:A reception environment informing means 30 informs temperature information and voltage information, which is detected by A/D converters 29 and 27 on the reception side, of the transmission side. On the transmission side of which the temperature information and the voltage information is informed by the reception environment informing means 30, a calculating means 31 calculates the capacity of a power supply battery on the reception side based on the temperature information and the voltage information. When it is judged that the battery capacity calculated by this calculating means 31 is lacked, a communication interrupting means 32 interrupts this time communication on the transmission side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication control device using a battery as a power source, and more particularly to a facsimile communication control device for estimating the battery capacity on the receiving side to judge whether communication is possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile communication control device has been widely used which is capable of executing a non-standardized unique process by exchanging data according to a specific protocol between communication terminals (for example, facsimile devices). A conventional facsimile communication control device of this type is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 232547/1988.
The multifunctionalization of the device is achieved by allowing the other party to perform special processing.

On the other hand, in recent years, as a facsimile device, a device driven by a battery has been proposed, and the mobility is improved by driving the battery. When a battery is used as the power source, for example, in a computer system, in order to prevent malfunction of the system and runaway of the CPU due to exhaustion of the battery capacity, it is usual to stop the system when the voltage of the battery drops to some extent for protection. . This is an important point also in a facsimile machine using a battery as a power source.

In a facsimile machine, transmission and reception of an original document are performed as a main function. In the transmission, much electric power is supplied to a motor for conveying the original document, an original document illumination of a scanner equipped as a document reading unit, and the like. is necessary. When receiving, a motor that conveys the recording paper,
Alternatively, a large amount of electric power is used for a thermal head, which is a printing unit for recording paper, and the like.

Here, in the facsimile apparatus, since the original is usually carried to the original tray of the facsimile when transmitting, the state of the facsimile (for example, battery shortage) can be judged at this time.

[0006]

On the other hand, in the reception, when an incoming call is received while the line is normally connected, the automatic reception starts, so that the state of the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side, that is, the battery capacity is seen by the transmitting side. Is unknown, and there is a drawback that it will be cut off during transmission when the capacity is insufficient.

Especially, since the thermal head consumes much electric power as compared with the illumination of the original at the time of transmission, the conventional facsimile communication control apparatus has the above-mentioned drawbacks. , There was no way to check the battery capacity on the receiving side. Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is
Facsimile communication improves the operability and reliability by reducing the wasted time and call charges due to the failure of normal communication by determining the power status and temperature environment of the receiving side on the sending side and deciding whether or not to send. The purpose is to provide a control device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the battery consumption and the temperature change vary depending on the content of the original to be transmitted, and therefore, the operability of the system is obtained by obtaining the information on the receiving side every time one page is completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication control device that improves reliability. Also,
In the invention according to claim 3, normal printing cannot be performed because the temperature is low, but when the transmitting side obtains the state of the receiving side that the power supply is sufficient, the temperature of the receiving side is increased by the operation from the transmitting side. By doing so, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication control device that enables normal transmission and printing of data to be transmitted and improves operability and reliability.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above object, a heating element for performing thermal printing, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heating element, a power supply battery for supplying power to the heating element, and a voltage of the power supply battery are detected. In a facsimile communication control device provided with a voltage detecting means, a receiving environment notifying means for notifying the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information detected by the detecting means at the receiving side, and the temperature information by the receiving environment notifying means. And a calculation means for calculating the capacity of the power supply battery on the reception side on the basis of the temperature information and the voltage information on the transmission side notified of the voltage information, and the battery capacity calculated by this calculation means is judged to be insufficient. And a communication disconnection unit that disconnects the current communication on the transmission side.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 adds the temperature information and the voltage information to the image quality information responded from the receiving side to the transmitting side between the pages of the facsimile message. The receiving environment notifying means notifies the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information together with the image quality information every time one page is received.

In order to achieve the above object, the transmitting side determines that the temperature of the heating element is low according to the temperature information on the receiving side and the capacity of the power supply battery has a margin based on the voltage information. In this case, a preheating information transmitting means for transmitting arbitrary preheating printing information from the transmitting side to the receiving side is provided.

[0012]

In the invention having the above-mentioned structure, the temperature information and the voltage information detected by the receiving side are notified to the transmitting side by the reception environment notifying means, and the temperature information and the voltage information are transmitted based on the temperature information and the voltage information. The calculating means on the side calculates the capacity of the power supply battery on the receiving side, and when it is determined that the battery capacity calculated by this calculating means is insufficient, the communication disconnecting means disconnects the current communication on the transmitting side.

Further, in the invention having the above-mentioned structure, the temperature information and the voltage information are added by the adding means to the image quality information responded from the receiving side to the transmitting side between the pages of the facsimile electronic message, Every time one page is received, the reception environment notifying means notifies the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information together with the image quality information. Further, in the invention according to claim 3 having the above configuration, when it is determined on the transmitting side that the heating element temperature is low based on the temperature information from the receiving side and the capacity of the power supply battery has a margin based on the voltage information, Arbitrary preheating print information is transmitted from the transmitting side to the receiving side by the preheating information transmitting means.

[0014]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below based on examples.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile communication control apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3. First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, the scanner 11 is
For example, the scanner 1 is a reading unit that reads a transmission document.
The image data of the transmission original read by 1 is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 12 and transmitted. In addition, the image data of the received document is encoded / decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 1.
Decoded and decompressed by 2. The communication control unit 13
Execute a communication protocol. The modem 14 modulates and demodulates communication data. The network control unit 15 is connected to the line and detects a signal from the line and sends a signal to the line. The operation display unit 16 has various operation keys and a display device to communicate with the user. FCU (Facsimile Control Uni) as a system controller
t) 17 controls the operation of a predetermined facsimile and also performs the communication control peculiar to the present invention. The plotter 18
A document image is printed out based on the image data.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the plotter 18 is a heating element 20 for performing thermal printing as a thermal head 19.
A driver 21 for driving the heating element 20 and a thermistor 22 as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heating element 20, that is, the temperature of the thermal head 19, and a connector 23 for control signal and the thermal head 1.
It is connected to the system side by a power supply connector 24 for the heating element 20 of 9.

In FIG. 1, a power supply battery (battery) 25
Is the power supply unit PSU (Power Supply Unit)
The heating element 20 is stabilized through 26 and transformed.
And supplied to each part of the system. In addition, the battery 25
The voltage of is digitized and detected by the A / D converter 27 as a voltage detection means without passing through the PSU 26.

On the other hand, the temperature characteristic of the thermistor 22 is shown in FIG.
Draw a temperature-resistance value curve as shown in (b). Normally, the thermal head 19 utilizes this characteristic to control the printing energy. FIG. 2C shows the thermistor 22.
The temperature information is detected by dividing the reference voltage V by the thermistor 22 and the fixed resistor 28 and subjecting the divided voltage to A / D conversion.

The receiving environment notifying means 30 notifies the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information detected by the A / D converters 29 and 27 on the receiving side. This reception environment notification frame is shown in FIG. 3A, and the voltage of the battery 25 is included in its own mode in which the reception side notifies the transmission side, for example, a non-standard function identification signal NSF (Non-Standard Facilities). Information and temperature information obtained by the thermistor 22 are assigned and notified as a non-standard function identification signal NSF (B). Note that these non-standard function identification signals NS
Digital identification signal DI which is a frame of F or standard mode
S (Digital Identification Signal) and the like are linked by a predetermined flag as shown in the figure.

The calculation means 31 is provided on the transmitting side notified of the temperature information and the voltage information by the reception environment notifying means 30,
The capacity of the power supply battery on the receiving side is calculated based on the temperature information and the voltage information. The communication disconnecting unit 32 disconnects the current communication on the transmitting side when it is determined that the battery capacity calculated by the calculating unit 31 is insufficient. This reception environment notification frame is shown in FIG. 3A, and the voltage of the battery 25 is included in its own mode in which the reception side notifies the transmission side, for example, a non-standard function identification signal NSF (Non-Standard Facilities). Information or temperature information obtained by the thermistor 22 is assigned to the non-standard function identification signal NSF (B).
Will be notified as. The non-standard function identification signal NSF, the digital identification signal DIS (Digital Identification Signal) which is a frame in the standard mode, and the like are connected by a predetermined flag as shown in the figure.

FIG. 4A is a communication flow in the case where the content of the frame sent from the receiving side, that is, the non-standard function identification signal NSF (B) is judged at the transmitting side and the transmission is cut off. In this case, the transmitting side, which has received the called terminal identification signal CED, the nonstandard function identification signal NSF and the digital identification signal DIS, sends a disconnection command signal DCN (Disconnect) to disconnect the line.

The adding means 33 adds temperature information and voltage information to the image quality information returned from the receiving side to the transmitting side between pages of a facsimile electronic message. The normal image quality information is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the message confirmation signal MC
Although it is transmitted by F (Message Confirmation), in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, temperature information and voltage information are received as a message confirmation signal MCF (B) by the reception environment notifying means 30 for one page. The sending side is notified each time. In this case, the message confirmation signal M
CF (B) is a frame having the same content as the non-standard function identification signal NSF (B).

As described above, in the signal notified from the receiving side to the transmitting side, the quality of one received page (image OK
/ NG = message confirmation signal MCF / retraining negative signal RTN) is extended to notify the transmission side of the voltage information and temperature information of the battery 25 for each page, so that the transmission side can transmit the next page. Can be judged.

The preheating information transmitting means 34 changes from the transmitting side to the receiving side when the transmitting side determines that the temperature of the heating element is low based on the temperature information on the receiving side and the capacity of the power supply battery has a margin based on the voltage information. Send any print information for preheating. FIG. 4B is a communication flow showing a protocol when the document is transmitted after transmitting the preheat print information, that is, the preheat image. In this case, the receiving side receives the called terminal identification signal CED, the non-standard function identification signal NSF and the digital identification signal DIS, and the transmission side receives the non-standard function setting signal N.
Send SS (Non-Standard Facilities Set-up) and training check TCF (Training Check).

Next, a reception preparation confirmation signal CFR on the receiving side
Receiving (Confirmation to Receive), the transmitting side sends the image data Pix (preheat image) and the multi-page signal M.
Send PS (Multipage Signal). Then, in response to the message confirmation signal MCF of the receiving side, the transmitting side receives the regular document image data Pix and the procedure end signal EOP (En.
Send d of Procedures). Then, in response to the message confirmation signal MCF on the receiving side, the transmitting side sends a disconnection command signal DCN to disconnect the line.

FIG. 5A is an image pattern example of a preheat image transmitted from the transmitting side to heat the head temperature on the receiving side. As shown in the figure, the thermal head 19 is quickly heated by transmitting many black dots indicated by the shaded portions and transmitting a message indicating that preheating is being performed. FIG. 5B is a voltage-temperature characteristic graph used for determining whether communication is possible or not according to the communication control of this embodiment. At the time of transmission, the battery voltage and head temperature on the receiving side are compared with this graph to select the communication control such as transmitting the preheat pattern and then transmitting the document, not transmitting, transmitting normally. To do. Note that these communication controls are also selected when transmitting the next page between pages as described above.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the communication control flow on the receiving side will be described with reference to FIG. When the reception starts (step S1), the voltage of the battery 25 (step S2) and the temperature of the thermal head 19 are detected (step S3). After that, if the voltage of the battery 25 is OK (step S4) and the temperature is normal (step S5), the called terminal identification signal CED is responded to the transmitting side (step S6), and communication is started.

Communication is carried out after the called terminal identification signal CED is transmitted.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4B, the non-standard function identification signal NSF and the digital identification signal DIS are transmitted (step S7), and either the disconnection command signal DCN or the non-standard function setting signal NSS is sent. It waits for reception (steps S8 and S9), and when the non-standard function setting signal NSS is received, the reception sequence is checked by the training check TCF (step S10).

After the check, the image is printed by the plotter 18 while receiving the image information (step S1).
1). The voltage of the battery 25 is checked by the A / D converter 27 during printing (step S1).
2). After that, when the reception data ends (step S1
3), the reception quality is evaluated (step S14), O
If K, the message confirmation signal MCF (step S1
5) If the result is NG, the retraining negative signal RTN (step S16) is transmitted. Then, if there is a next page (step S17), the processes from step S11 are repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the capacity of the battery 25 is exhausted during image reception, a procedure interruption negative signal PIN (Procedure Interrupt Positive) is transmitted (step S18), and a post message from the transmitting side is sent. After waiting, the communication is terminated by the same protocol as the conversation reservation. At this time, the receiving side notifies the operator of a voltage abnormality by displaying or alarming (step S19). In addition, step S4,
Even if the main flow is exited in the determination of S5 and S8, the abnormal voltage is displayed.

Next, the communication control flow on the transmitting side will be described with reference to FIG. When transmission starts (step P1),
When the non-standard function identification signal NSF is received from the receiving side (step P2), the battery 25 is OK (step P2).
3) When it is determined from the voltage-temperature graph shown in FIG. 5B that printing is possible (step P4), the non-standard function setting signal NSS is transmitted (step P5) and communication is started.

In communication, the transmission sequence is checked by the training check TCF (step P6), and the original is transmitted (step P7). After the end of one page (step P8), a post message, for example, the multi-page signal MPS shown in FIG. 4 (b) is transmitted (step P9), the response from the receiving side is analyzed (step P10), and the battery 25 on the receiving side is transmitted. Check the capacity (step P1)
1). When the battery 25 is OK and the next page is transmitted (step P12), the processing from step S7 is repeated. If there is no next page transmission, disconnect command signal DCN
Is transmitted (step P13), the line is disconnected and the transmission is terminated.

On the other hand, steps P3, P4, and P11
If the battery 25 or the head temperature is abnormal due to the notification from the receiving side, a message is printed on the plotter 18 on the transmitting side (step P14), and the process ends.

[0033]

As described above, according to the facsimile communication control apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving environment notifying means notifies the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information detected by the receiving side. When the calculation means on the transmission side calculates the capacity of the power supply battery on the reception side based on the temperature information and the voltage information, and the battery capacity calculated by the calculation means is determined to be insufficient, the communication disconnection means determines Since the communication of this time is cut off on the transmitting side, it is possible to determine whether or not transmission is possible depending on the power source and temperature environment of the receiving side, and it is possible to perform transmission suitable for the environment. For this reason, it is possible to reduce wasteful time and call charges due to failure in normal communication, and improve operability and reliability.

According to the second aspect of the facsimile communication control apparatus of the present invention, the temperature information and the voltage information are added by the adding means to the image quality information which is transmitted from the receiving side to the transmitting side between the pages of the facsimile message. Each time one page is received, the receiving environment notifying means notifies the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information together with the image quality information, so that the transmitting side can recognize the receiving side power supply and temperature environment data even between pages. , Transmission with stable quality is possible,
Operability and reliability are improved.

According to the facsimile communication control apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, the transmitting side determines that the temperature of the heating element is low based on the temperature information on the receiving side and that the capacity of the power supply battery has a margin based on the voltage information. In this case, the preheat information transmitting means transmits arbitrary preheat print information from the transmitting side to the receiving side, so that the head temperature of the receiving side can be raised by the judgment of the transmitting side, and the normal transmission of the data to be transmitted is possible. It is also possible to improve the print quality by enabling printing and improve the operability and reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a facsimile communication control apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

2A and 2B are diagrams showing a plotter, FIG. 2A is a basic configuration diagram of a thermal head, FIG. 2B is a temperature-resistance characteristic diagram of a thermistor, and FIG. 2C is a temperature detection circuit of the thermistor. It is a figure.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing a communication frame, FIG. 3A is a reception environment notification frame, FIG. 3B is a reception quality notification frame responded between pages, and FIG. 3C is temperature information and voltage. 3 shows an extended reception quality notification frame containing information.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing a communication flow, wherein FIG. 4A shows a communication disconnection flow, and FIG. 4B shows a preheat information transmission flow.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transmission of preheating information, and FIG.
Is a preheating image pattern example, and FIG. 6B is a voltage-temperature characteristic graph used to determine whether communication is possible in the communication control of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing on the receiving side in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing on the transmission side in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 heating element 22 Thermistor (temperature detection means) 25 Battery (power supply battery) 27 A / D converter (voltage detection means) 30 Reception environment notification means 31 Calculation means 32 Communication disconnection means 33 Additional means 34 Preheating information transmission means

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical indication location H04N 1/00 C 4226-5C 106 C 4226-5C 1/23 102 Z 9186-5C

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heating element for performing thermal printing, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heating element, a power source battery for supplying power to the heating element, and a voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the power source battery. And a reception environment notifying means for notifying the transmitting side of the temperature information and the voltage information detected by the detecting means on the receiving side, and the temperature information and the voltage information by the receiving environment notifying means. The calculation means for calculating the capacity of the power supply battery on the reception side on the basis of the temperature information and the voltage information on the transmission side notified of this, and the transmission side when the battery capacity calculated by this calculation means is judged to be insufficient. And a communication disconnecting means for disconnecting this communication. 2. A reception environment notifying means comprising: an addition means for adding temperature information and voltage information to image quality information responded from the receiving side to the transmitting side between pages of a facsimile electronic message.
2. The facsimile communication control device according to claim 1, wherein temperature information and voltage information as well as the image quality information are notified to a transmitting side every time one page is received. 3. An arbitrary preheating print from the transmitting side to the receiving side when the transmitting side determines that the temperature of the heating element is low based on the temperature information on the receiving side and the capacity of the power supply battery has a margin based on the voltage information. 3. The facsimile communication control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a preheat information transmitting unit that transmits information.