JPH08204930A - Image transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily execute processing in a personal computer(PC) scanner mode by performing control through a prescribed transmission control procedure in the state of connecting a facsimile modem for PC and a modem inside facsimile equipment while using a dedicated relay. CONSTITUTION: A dedicated port 29c of a facsimile modem 27 for a PC 26 is connected to a relay contact 32b and a line connecting port 29a is connected to a relay contact 32a and CI detecting circuit 31. These contacts 32a and 32b are operated based on respective specified operations by the signals of respective relays 1 and 2, and a modem 25 inside facsimile equipment 11 and the modem 27 for the PC 26 are tuned to the connected state. At the same time, the interval between the modems 26 and 27 is controlled by the control means of equipment 11 specifying the transmission control procedure in place of a phase A of a facsimile transmission control procedure. Thus, image data can be easily fetched into the PC 26 by using a scanner inside the equipment 11 in addition to an ordinary use method using an external telephone set 30 and the equipment 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus suitable for combination with a facsimile machine and a personal computer (PC) to form a multifunction machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a facsimile apparatus has, as its basic configuration, a scanner for reading a document image and a printer for recording and outputting a received image on a recording sheet. As a result, a sending function for sending the original image to the other party using the scanner and a receiving function for printing out the received image from the other party using the printer are exhibited. In addition, usually, a copying function is added to print out a document image read by a scanner as it is by a printer of its own facsimile apparatus, so that an initial multi-function machine is achieved.

Further, in the present day when the diffusion rate of the facsimile apparatus has become high, attention is paid to the basic structure of the facsimile apparatus, and for example, the image data read by the scanner of the facsimile apparatus is taken into the PC, and the image on the PC is acquired. The scanner of the facsimile machine is used for processing (for example, rough sketch of image data, OCR, etc.).
There is also a demand for making a multifunctional machine having a form (PC scanner function) of a scanner for capturing an image in C. However, in order to exert such a PC scanner function, dedicated software (for example, dedicated driver software) is required on the PC side, and special hardware (for example, serial interface circuit) is also provided on the facsimile side. ) And software. In addition, a dedicated interface cable is required, and depending on the PC, the serial port may be insufficient and cannot be used. There is such a problem when the scanner of the facsimile machine is used as the image capturing scanner of the PC.

[0004]

By the way, conventionally, image communication is generally performed between a facsimile machine and a facsimile machine on the other side, and a PC and a PC on the other side. Therefore, a troublesome work is sometimes performed such that the image data sent from the facsimile device is once received by the facsimile device, printed out, and the contents thereof are taken into the PC using an input device such as an OCR.

As described above, in recent years, the popularity of both facsimile machines and PCs has been increasing. Therefore, in order to eliminate such troublesome work, the facsimile machine on the other side is connected via the public line. A modem (facsimile modem) for directly fetching image data sent from a PC into a PC is considered. That is, the facsimile device and the facsimile modem of the PC are connected via a public line, and the image data is transferred between the facsimile device and the PC.
It is something that will be realized between

In consideration of such use, in recent PCs, a facsimile modem is often added to the PC for sale, or a facsimile modem is separately purchased for use as a data modem. The number of owners of PCs that do this is increasing. This facsimile modem includes format conversion software. As a result, the image data transmitted from the other facsimile machine side enters into the facsimile dedicated software in the facsimile modem via the public line, undergoes the conversion processing by the conversion format software, and is further desired by the application software for the PC. Image data.

The present invention focuses on a facsimile modem having such a function, and demands the above-mentioned multi-function machine.
That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image transmission device in which a scanner of a facsimile device can be easily used as an image capturing scanner of a PC.

[0008]

In the image transmission apparatus of the present invention, a dedicated port to which a facsimile modem for a personal computer is connected, and the facsimile modem and the modem in the facsimile apparatus are directly connected via this dedicated port. A switchable dedicated relay to be driven, and a transmission control procedure which is activated based on a specific operation to drive the dedicated relay and control between the facsimile modem side and the modem side, which is an alternative to the phase A of the facsimile transmission control procedure. It is provided with defined control means.

[0009]

In the image transmission apparatus of the present invention, since it has a dedicated port, a facsimile modem for a personal computer can be always connected, and image data is taken into the personal computer side using a scanner in the facsimile apparatus. If the mode is set by a specific operation and the control means is activated, the dedicated relay is driven to switch the connection state between the facsimile modem side and the modem side, and the transmission control procedure in place of phase A is performed. By being controlled by, the operation in that mode becomes possible.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an outline of the facsimile apparatus 11 used in this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. A CPU 12 is provided which is in charge of overall control of the facsimile apparatus 11. The CPU 12 is provided with a ROM 14, a RAM 15, an image memory 16 via a bus line 13.
Memories such as are connected. ROM14 is CPU
Various programs executed by 12 and other data are fixedly stored, and a program for a flowchart executed by the control means as shown in FIG. 3 described later is also included. The RAM 15 rewritably stores various data, and the image memory 16 temporarily stores the image data for transmission and the received image data, and supplies the image data for transmission and reception.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 11 is provided with a scanner 17 for reading an original image, a printer 18 for printing on recording paper based on image data, and a control panel 19 having various key switches. There is.
The scanner 17, printer 18 and control panel 19 are respectively provided with corresponding control circuits 20, 21, 2, respectively.
2 and the bus line 13 are connected to the CPU 12. Further, the bus line 13 is connected to an encoding / decoding circuit 23 which performs encoding or decoding processing on a transmission image or a reception image.

Further, an NCU (network control unit) 2 is provided between the facsimile apparatus 11 and the public line (PSTN).
4 and a modem 25 are interposed.

On the other hand, a facsimile modem 27 is added to the PC 26 which can be connected to the facsimile apparatus 11. The facsimile modem 27 is provided with facsimile dedicated software, conversion format software and application software.
The facsimile modem 27 and its software are compatible with each other as long as they are commercially available, and any of them can be used without particular restrictions.

In order to connect such a facsimile modem 27, the NC in the facsimile apparatus 11 of this embodiment is connected.
The U24 portion is configured as shown in FIG. In the line connection circuit 28 of this NCU 24, three ports 2
9a to 29c are provided. Reference numeral 29a is a line connection port (LINE) for a public line. 29b is an external telephone 3
It is a telephone connection port (TEL) for 0. 29c is a dedicated port (MODEM) for the facsimile modem 27. These ports 29a-29c are physically modular jacks. As well known, the line connection port 29a has a CI detection circuit (incoming detection circuit) for detecting an incoming call.
31 is connected. Also, the line connection port 29a
And a relay contact 3 which is switched by the relay 1 signal between the modem 25 side and the telephone connection port 29b.
2a is provided. The relay contact 32a is normally in a state of connecting the line connection port 29a and the telephone connection port 29b, and can be switched to a state of connecting the line connection port 29a and the modem 25 side when the relay 1 signal is turned on. Is configured. Further, between the dedicated port 29c for the facsimile modem 27 and the modem 25 side and the telephone connection port 29b, there is provided a relay contact 32b which is switched by the relay 2 signal and functions as a dedicated relay. This relay contact 32b
Is normally in a state of connecting the dedicated port 29c and the telephone connection port 29b, and is configured to be switched to a state of connecting the dedicated port 29c and the modem 25 when the relay signal 2 is turned on.

In such a structure, in the standby state,
As shown in FIG. 1, the public line is connected in parallel to the external telephone 30 and the facsimile modem 27 through the ports 29a to 29c, and can be used by both the external telephone 30 and the facsimile modem 27 (although, if used at the same time, crosstalk will occur). To). Therefore, the user who owns the facsimile device 11 and the PC 26 can
Facsimile modem 2 in a dedicated port 29c provided in
If 7 is always connected, it can be used, and it does not require troublesome operations such as replacing the modular jack each time it is used.

When carrying out a normal facsimile transmission, the document to be transmitted is set on the scanner 17 and a predetermined operation is carried out, whereby the C
When the relay 1 signal is turned on by the control signal from the PU 12 side, the relay contact 32a is switched from the illustrated state, and the line connection port 29a is connected to the modem 25 side. As a result, the public line is connected to the facsimile device 11
Is exclusively connected to and enters a normal facsimile transmission mode.

On the other hand, in the case of normal facsimile reception, when an incoming signal is input from the partner machine through the public line, the external telephone 30 sounds and at the same time the CI detection circuit 31 transmits the incoming call to the CPU 12 side. In response to this, if the external telephone 30 is not off-hooked on the CPU 12 side, the relay 1 signal is turned on and the relay contact 3
2a is switched from the illustrated state, and the line connection port 29
a is connected to the modem 25 side. As a result, the public line is exclusively connected to the facsimile apparatus 11, and the normal facsimile reception mode is entered. In this facsimile reception mode, the communication operation is controlled based on phases A to E according to the well-known facsimile transmission control procedure.

Further, when the PC scanner mode in which the image data read by the scanner 17 is taken into the PC 26 is performed, the following specific operation is required. First, the application software in the facsimile modem 27 is activated in the PC 26, and the reception mode setting is set to the manual mode. Also, on the side of the facsimile apparatus 11, the document to be read is scanned by the scanner 17
And set the reading mode (standard / fine / halftone etc.). Then, the PC scanner mode is activated by a key operation such as a key operation of a scanner-dedicated key provided on the control panel 19 or the like of the facsimile apparatus 11 or a selection operation of a function setting menu. In this embodiment, it is set to be activated by a scan key operation.

When the above operation is performed, the control means executed by the CPU 12 is activated, and the PC scanner mode is executed under the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, if other functions are not in operation (step S
1), under the condition that the document is set on the scanner 17 (step S2), the scan key for the PC scanner mode is accepted, and this control means executes step S2.
3 to turn on the relay 2 signal, and relay contact 32
b is switched and driven. As a result, the facsimile modem 27 and the modem 25 are directly connected. At this time, since the public line is connected to the external telephone 30, an incoming call from the outside is possible.

Then, step S4 is executed to send out a CNG signal (call signal), and wait for a CED signal (response signal) from the facsimile modem 27 in step S5.
In the case of normal facsimile communication, a signal indicating a telephone number is output, and after detecting that a link with the facsimile device on the other side is established, a CNG signal is output. However, in this case, since the facsimile apparatus 11 and the facsimile modem 27 are directly connected without passing through the line, the CNG signal is immediately output. At this time, it is preferable that a speaker built in the facsimile apparatus 11 emit a CNG signal to mimic the normal communication. In parallel with this, on the PC 26 side, the manual reception mode is started by the application software started by the facsimile modem 27. If there is no response of the CED signal within the preset predetermined time (step S6), the relay 2 signal is turned off (step S6).
7) The connection state between the facsimile modems 27 and 25 is disconnected and the standby state is restored.

The control procedure shown in these steps S4 and S5 is a transmission control procedure that replaces the normal phase A.
When the PC scanner mode is executed, such a transmission control procedure is performed because the modem 25 is not connected to the public line in the PC scanner mode and the modem 25 is not connected to the public line.
Is directly connected to the fax modem 27,
Does not require Phase A control for line connection,
This is to ensure consistency with the facsimile modem 27 that performs transmission control according to the original facsimile transmission control procedure.

When the CED signal is detected, the control means thereafter performs the processing after phase B, that is, the handshake processing as in the normal facsimile transmission mode (step S8). When the handshake is successful, the scanner 1
The original image is read in step 7, and the read image data is G
Three frames are transmitted to the facsimile modem 27 side (step S9). At this time, if the transmission of the image data is not normally completed (step S10), the relay 2 signal is turned off (step S11), an error message is displayed (step S12), and the process returns to the standby state.

When the transmission of the image data is normally completed, the relay 2 signal is turned off (step S13), the normal completion display is displayed (step S14), and the process returns to the standby state.
On the other hand, in the facsimile modem 27 to which the image data in the facsimile format is transmitted, the image data is converted into the image format of the PC software to be applied and output to the PC 26 side, and the software actually applied by the PC 26 (for example, graphic software or OCR
The image is captured by the PC 26 by the software) in the same manner as a normal scanning image.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, the owner of the PC 26 that does not have a printer is the facsimile machine 11
It is also possible to use it as a PC printer mode in which the internal printer 18 is used as an output device. That is, even for the image data created by the PC 26, the facsimile modem 27
This can be realized by utilizing the transmission function of No. 2 and controlling the PC 26 to send the data to the printer 18 side via the facsimile modem 27 and the modem 25 in the route opposite to that in the PC scanner mode.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the dedicated port 29c for the facsimile modem 27 is provided, P
The C26 facsimile modem 27 can always be connected to the facsimile device 11, and the
The PC scanner mode can be executed by performing the operation for designating the scanner mode, and the troublesome operation such as replacement of the modular jack is not required. Also, with respect to the software for executing the PC scanner mode, a slight software change that defines a transmission control procedure that is compatible with the phase A transmission control procedure instead of the phase A is performed, and the dedicated port described above is used. It suffices to make a slight hardware change such as adding 29c and a relay contact 32b, and it becomes possible to connect with the PC 26 having the facsimile modem 27 easily and with a minimum necessary change and cost.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those shown in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in addition to the telephone connection port 29b, a telephone connection port 29d and a relay contact 32c which is switch-controlled by the relay 2 signal are added to the line connection circuit 28. Here, the relay contact 32c is connected to the telephone connection port 29b, the ON terminal side of this relay contact 32c is connected to the OFF terminal side of the relay contact 32a and the line connection port 29a side, and the OFF terminal of the relay contact 32c. The side is connected to the telephone connection port 29d. A switching relay 33 is provided in the facsimile modem 27, and the telephone connection port 29d is connected to the dedicated port 29c via the switching relay 33. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the external telephone 30 is switchably connectable to the public line through two routes.

In such a structure, FIG. 4 shows a state in which normal facsimile transmission or reception operation is possible, and the external telephone 30 is connected to the line connection port 29a with respect to the public line.
→ Relay contact 32a (off side) → relay contact 32b (off side) → dedicated port 29c → switching relay 33 → telephone connection port 29d → relay contact 32c (off side) → telephone connection port 29b. On the other hand, when the PC scanner mode is designated as in the case of the above embodiment,
Since the relay contacts 32b, 32c and the switching relay 33 are switched from the illustrated state by the relay 2 signal, the external telephone 30 is connected to the line connection port 29a → the public line.
The state of being connected through the route of the relay contact 32a (off side) → the relay contact 32c (on side) → the telephone connection port 29b is secured. At this time, the facsimile modem 27 is connected to the modem 25 side through the route from the dedicated port 29c to the relay contact 32b (on side). In other words, according to the present embodiment, in any mode, the external telephone 30 does not cross-link with the facsimile device 11 or the facsimile modem 27 side.

In these embodiments, the facsimile device 11 and the facsimile modem 27 can be connected to each other by providing the CPU 12 side of the facsimile device 11 with the function of the control means.
Alternatively, the PC 26 side may have a function as a control means.

[0029]

According to the image transmission apparatus of the present invention, a dedicated port to which a facsimile modem for a personal computer is connected and a switch for directly connecting the facsimile modem and the modem in the facsimile apparatus via this dedicated port. A free dedicated relay and a transmission control procedure that is activated based on a specific operation to drive the dedicated relay and control the transmission between the facsimile modem side and the modem side instead of phase A of the facsimile transmission control procedure are defined. Since it is equipped with a control means, a facsimile modem for a personal computer can be always connected to a dedicated port, and therefore the trouble of replacing the modular jack even in the mode for connecting the facsimile modem and the modem is troublesome. Perform that mode processing without any action required So it can be, and, for the control system to execute such a mode processing, phase A
Instead of this, a slight change in software that specifies a transmission control procedure that is compatible with this phase A transmission control procedure, and a slight change in hardware that a dedicated port and a dedicated relay are added are performed. It suffices to connect with a personal computer having a facsimile modem with a simple and minimal change and cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram around a line connection circuit showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an entire facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operation control by a control means.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram around a line connection circuit showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Facsimile device 25 Modem 26 Personal computer 27 Facsimile modem 29c Dedicated port 32b Dedicated relay

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A dedicated port to which a facsimile modem for a personal computer is connected, a switchable dedicated relay for directly connecting the facsimile modem and a modem in a facsimile apparatus via the dedicated port, and a specific operation. And a control means which is activated based on this and drives the dedicated relay and which defines a transmission control procedure for controlling between the facsimile modem side and the modem side instead of phase A of the facsimile transmission control procedure. Characteristic image transmission device.