JPH07273903A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To activate either of an ISDN or a PSTN by providing facsimile communication means for groups 3 and 4, a signal conversion means and an interface means to the facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION:When the operator enters the use of a group 4 facsimile communication function by an operation display section 14, a system control section 11 activates a group 4 facsimile communication unit 17. When the operator enters the use of a group 3 facsimile communication function by the operation display section 14, the system control section 11 starts a group 3 facsimile communication unit 18. When the operator enters the speech of a telephone set 20 by using an ISDN, a designated destination number or the like is informed to an ISDN-NCP 19a of an ISDN line control section 19, a control section 23 connects the telephone set 20 to a CODEC 19c of the control section 19 till the call connection is finished. Similarly, when the operator enters the speech by a PSTN, the destination number is informed to a PSTN-NCU 21 and the control section 23 connects the telephone set 20 to the NCU 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine which can freely utilize both ISDN and PSTN.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Communication Network) is being developed, and data terminal devices for exchanging data using this ISDN are gradually being put into practical use.

This ISDN will be used in the future PS
Although it replaces TN (public telephone network), both ISDN and PSTN will be used until the replacement is completely completed. Also, in this case, ISDN
Interworking between Internet and PSTN (Internetworking) is considered, and it is possible for a data terminal device connected to an ISDN and a data terminal device of the same type connected to the PSTN to exchange data.

In such a situation, for example, a group 4 facsimile function, a group 3 facsimile function,
Also, basically, two types of line interface configurations of the data terminal device having the combined telephone function can be considered as shown in FIGS.

In the figure, a facsimile main body 1 has an image reading function, an image recording function, an image storing function, and
It has a facsimile function such as an operation display function.

Group 4 facsimile communication unit 2
Is the transmission control procedure processing of the group 4 facsimile machine,
And HDLC (High Level Data Link Control)
The ISDN-NCU (network control unit) 3 is for performing ISDN-NCU (network control unit) generation / analysis processing.
It realizes the line control function (basic interface function).

Group 3 facsimile communication unit 4
Is for performing the transmission control procedure processing of the group 3 facsimile apparatus, and the PSTN-NCU 5 is a PS
It realizes the line control function of the TN. Further, the PSTN-NCU 5 has an automatic calling / receiving function, and is connected with a telephone 6.

In the case of FIG. 4, the group 4 facsimile communication unit 2 receives the ISDN via the ISDN-NCU 3.
, The group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 and the telephone 6 are connected to the PSTN via the PSTN-NCU 5.

Therefore, in this case, the image information transmitting operation of the group 4 facsimile communication unit 2 using ISDN and the image information transmitting operation of the group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 using PSTN or the telephone call of the telephone 6 are performed in parallel. You can do it.

In the case of FIG. 5, the group 4 facsimile communication unit 2, the group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 and the telephone 6 are all connected to the ISDN via the ISDN-NCU 3.

Therefore, in this case, the ISDN-NCU
Image information transmission operation of the group 4 facsimile communication unit 2 using the two information channels (B channel) 3
Two operations, that is, the image information transmission operation of the group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 and the arbitrary call of the telephone 6 can be performed. In addition, compared to the case of FIG.
Since there is no N-NCU 5, the device cost can be reduced.

[0012]

However, these two methods have the following disadvantages.

In the case of FIG. 4, since only one PSTN-NCU 5 is provided, the image information transmitting operation of the group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 and the telephone call of the telephone 6 cannot be carried out at the same time, and the apparatus is equipped. A free combination of communication functions cannot be realized. It is necessary to add one PSTN-NCU in order to perform the image information transmission operation of the group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 and the telephone call of the telephone 6 at the same time, and in such a case, the device cost is further increased. .

In the case of FIG. 5, when the group 3 facsimile communication unit 4 carries out image information transmission with the group 3 facsimile machine connected to the PSTN, it is always IS.
It has to go through the DN, and naturally, the time required to transmit the image information is almost the same as when the PSTN is used.

The communication cost for the same communication time is PS
Since ISDN is considered to be larger than TN, P
When transmitting image information to a device connected to the STN, there arises a disadvantage that communication cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which can freely utilize both ISDN and PSTN.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a network control device for a public telephone network for connecting to a public telephone network, and I
An ISDN network controller for connecting to the SDN, a group 4 facsimile communication means for realizing a group 4 facsimile communication function by connecting to the ISDN network controller, and a group 3 facsimile communication for realizing a group 3 facsimile communication function. Means, a telephone connected to the public telephone line network, and signal conversion means connected to the ISDN network control device for converting the transmission signal of the group 3 facsimile communication means so that the transmission signal can be transmitted in the ISDN. A connection means for selectively connecting the group 3 facsimile communication means to either the signal conversion means or the public telephone line network control device is provided.

[0018]

Therefore, with one facsimile machine, IS
Both DN and PSTN can be used freely.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a data terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This data terminal device has a facsimile function and a telephone function. As the facsimile function, a group 4 facsimile communication function using ISDN (integrated service digital communication network) as a transmission line and PSTN (public telephone network) It has a group 3 facsimile communication function that uses a.

In the figure, a system control unit 11 executes the entire control processing of the data terminal device, a scanner 12 is for reading a transmission original document at a predetermined resolution, and a plotter 13 is for , For recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution.

The operation display unit 14 is for operating the facsimile apparatus, and comprises an operation unit such as a ten-key pad for inputting a destination number, and a display unit for displaying input data, a guidance message for the operator, and the like. .

The encoding / decoding unit 15 encodes and compresses the transmission image signal and also decodes the reception image information into the original image signal, and the image storage device 16 is in the encoded and compressed state. It is for accumulating image information. The group 4 facsimile communication unit 17 is for realizing a group 4 facsimile communication function, and includes a group 4 facsimile communication control section 17a for performing group 4 facsimile transmission control procedure processing and an HDLC (high level data link control). ) An HDLC frame generation / analysis unit 17b for generating / analyzing a procedure frame.

Group 3 facsimile communication unit 18
Is for realizing a group 3 facsimile communication function, and is a group 3 facsimile communication control section 18a for performing group 3 facsimile transmission control procedure processing and the like.
A modem 18b for modulating / demodulating digital data, and a frame generation / analysis unit 18c for generating / analyzing a frame of a transmission control procedure signal.

The ISDN line control unit 19 is for allowing the group 4 facsimile communication unit 17, the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18, and the telephone set 20 to use ISDN as a transmission line.
ISDN-NCU (network control unit) 19a that realizes the line control function (basic interface function) of SDN, and encodes voice signals into A-law (or μ-law) PCM (pulse-code modulation) signals / It consists of two CODECs 19b and 19c for decoding.

In the PSTN-NCU 21, the group 3 facsimile communication unit 17 and the telephone 20 are the PSTN.
Is used as a transmission line, and is provided with a PSTN line control function and an automatic transmission / reception function.

The modem connection switching section 22 switches the modem 18b of the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 to ISDN.
CODEC 19b of line control unit 19 or PST
It is for switching connection to either one of the N-NCU 21.

The telephone switching control unit 23 sets the telephone 20 to the I
SDN line controller CODEC 19c or PSTN
-For switching connection to either one of the NCU 21.

The system control unit 11 and the group 4
Data is exchanged with the facsimile communication unit 17 and the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 via the internal bus 24. The group 4 facsimile communication unit 17 and the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 are detachably connected to the internal bus 24 by connector connection (not shown).

Further, in this case, since one data terminal device has the group 4 facsimile communication function, the group 3 facsimile communication function, and the telephone function in combination, each function called from the ISDN is identified. Sub-addresses are set for each function so that you can.

With the above configuration, when the operator inputs from the operation display unit 14 that the group 4 facsimile communication function is used, the system control unit 11 causes the group 4
The facsimile communication unit 17 is notified of that fact and the operation is started.

When the operator inputs from the operation display unit 14 that the group 3 facsimile communication function is used, the system control unit 11 notifies the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 of that fact and starts the operation.

At this time, when the operator designates the use of ISDN, the system control unit 11 gives the destination number and the like designated at that time to the ISDN line control unit 1.
9 is notified to the ISDN-NCU 19a to start access to the ISDN network, and until the call connection is completed, the modem connection switching unit 22 causes the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 to transfer the CODEC 19b of the ISDN line control unit 19. Connect to.

The operator uses the ISDN to set up the telephone 2
When the operation display unit 14 is operated to input a call by "0", the system control unit 11 sets the destination number and the like specified at that time to the ISDN-N of the ISDN line control unit 19.
The CU 19a is notified and access to the ISDN network is started, and the telephone switching controller 23 connects the telephone 20 to the CODEC 19c of the ISDN line controller 19 until the call connection is completed.

When the operator inputs from the operation display unit 14 that the telephone 20 is used to make a call using the PSTN, the system control unit 11 notifies the PSTN-NCU 21 of the destination number designated at that time. P
While the STN destination is called, the telephone switching control unit 23 controls the telephone 20 until the call connection is completed.
To the PSTN-NCU 21.

Note that the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 and the telephone 20 are normally connected to the PSTN side.

When an incoming call is received from ISDN, if the sub-address designated at that time is for the group 4 facsimile communication function, the system control unit 1
1 is the ISDN-NCU 19 of the ISDN line control unit 19.
a to select the group 4 facsimile communication unit 17 and the group 4 facsimile communication unit 1
The operation of 7 is started.

When an incoming call is received from ISDN and the sub-address designated at that time is for the group 3 facsimile communication function, the system controller 1
1 is the ISDN-NCU 19 of the ISDN line control unit 19.
a to select the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18, and the modem connection switching unit 22 selects the ISDN.
The CODEC 19b of the line controller 19 is connected to the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 to start the operation of the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18.

When an incoming call is received from ISDN, if the sub-address designated at that time has a telephone function, the system control unit 11 causes the ISDN line control unit ISDN line control unit 19 to change the ISDN- In addition to having the NCU 19a select the telephone 20, the telephone switching control unit 2
3, the telephone 20 of the ISDN line control unit 19 CO
It connects to the DEC 19c and enables the telephone call of the telephone 20.

When an incoming call is received from the PSTN, the system control unit 11 performs the same operation as in the case of a normal group 3 facsimile machine.

In this way, ISDN and PSTN
A call operation to and a call reception operation are performed.

Since the details of the originating and terminating operations are not directly related to the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

Now, in the basic interface of ISDN, two information channels (B1 and B2 channels) and 1
One signal channel (D channel) is multiplexed,
As a result, this data terminal device can perform data transmission in the combinations shown in Table 1 below.

[0044]

[Table 1]

That is, for example, the operator sets the telephone 2
When 0 is used, the image information can be transmitted to the group 3 facsimile apparatus, and in that state, the image information request from another group 4 facsimile apparatus can be accepted. Alternatively, the image information previously stored in the image information storage device 16 may be stored in the group 4
The facsimile communication function can be used to transmit to other Group 4 facsimile machines.

When image information is transmitted by the group 3 facsimile machine using PSTN,
The telephone 20 can receive the call, and in that state, image information can be transmitted by the group 4 facsimile communication function.

Further, by using ISDN, image information transmission by the group 3 facsimile communication function and telephone call by the telephone 20 can be performed.

In operating this data terminal device, cases other than the above examples may occur, but Table 1
If the combination of is applicable, the data communication or the call can be performed without any support. However, since this data terminal device has only one set of facsimile main body functions, at least one of them utilizes the function of the image storage device 16 when the group 4 facsimile communication function and the group 3 facsimile communication function operate simultaneously. Image information is transmitted.

In this way, in this embodiment, the transmission paths are assigned to the group 4 facsimile communication function, the group 3 facsimile communication function, and the telephone function.
Since it can be realized by a flexible combination, very efficient data communication can be performed, and communication cost and device cost can be reduced.

Further, as described above, since the group 4 facsimile communication unit 17 and the group 3 facsimile communication unit 18 are detachably connected, this data terminal device is dedicated to the group 4 facsimile communication function (that is, the group 4 facsimile communication function). 4 facsimile machines) or dedicated to group 3 facsimile communication functions (ie,
Group 3 facsimile devices), the group 4 facsimile device, the group 3 facsimile device, and their combined terminal devices can be constructed in the same configuration system, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced. .

In the above embodiment, one group 4 facsimile communication function, one group 3 facsimile communication function, and one telephone function are provided, but two group 3 facsimile communication functions are also provided. The present invention can be applied, and an embodiment in that case is shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, two group 3 facsimile communication units 18 and 18 'are provided, and one group 3 facsimile communication unit 18' is ISD.
Dedicated to N.

The selector 25 is for selectively connecting two of the three group 3 facsimile communication units 18, 18 'and the telephone set 20 to the ISDN line control section 19.

Therefore, in this case, data can be transmitted in the combinations shown in Table 2 below.

[Table 2]

Still another embodiment is shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, two group 4 facsimile communication units 17, 17 'are provided.

In this case, the ISDN line controller 19
One of the two CODECs 19b and 19c
DEC19c is not used.

Therefore, in this case, data can be transmitted in the combinations shown in Table 3 below.

[0059]

[Table 3]

In this way, in the data terminal device shown in FIG. 1, the group 3 facsimile communication unit and the group 4 facsimile communication unit can be detachably connected to the internal bus 24. The configuration can be arbitrarily constructed, and thereby a data terminal device having a great degree of freedom can be realized.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the data terminal device having the facsimile function as a basic function has been described, but other data terminal devices are also described.
The present invention can be similarly applied.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A public telephone line network control device for connecting to a public telephone line network, an ISDN network control device for connecting to an ISDN, and a group 4 facsimile communication function realized by being connected to this ISDN network control device. Group 4 facsimile communication means, group 3 facsimile communication means for realizing a group 3 facsimile communication function, a telephone connected to the public telephone line network, and the group 3 facsimile communication means connected to the ISDN network control device. A connection for selectively connecting the signal conversion means for converting the transmission signal of No. 1 to the ISDN so that the group 3 facsimile communication means is selectively connected to either the signal conversion means or the public telephone network controller. Since it has the means, both ISDN and PSTN can be used freely. Get the results.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a data terminal device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a data terminal device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 system control unit 17, 17 'group 4 facsimile communication unit 18, 18' group 3 facsimile communication unit 19 ISDN line control unit 19a ISDN-NCU (network control unit) 19b, 19c CODEC 20 telephone 21 PSTN-NCU 22 modem connection switching Part 23 Telephone switching control part 25 Selector

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A public telephone line network control unit for connecting to a public telephone line network, an ISDN network control unit for connecting to an ISDN, and a group 4 facsimile connected to the ISDN network control unit. Group 4 facsimile communication means for realizing the communication function and Group 3 for realizing the group 3 facsimile communication function
The facsimile communication means, a telephone connected to the public telephone line network, and the group 3 connected to the ISDN network control device.
Signal conversion means for converting the transmission signal of the facsimile communication means so that it can be transmitted in the ISDN, and the group 3 facsimile communication means selectively to either the signal conversion means or the public telephone network controller. A facsimile machine comprising a connecting means for connecting.