JPH09321963A - Facsimile communication method and facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the speed of a preprocedure part by transmitting a fast digital identification signal to carry out a preprocedure via a receiver device after reception of a fast digital instruction signal. SOLUTION: A transmitter device Tx calls a receiver device Rx by transmitting a call signal CI to the device Rx via an office exchange. The device Rx closes its circuit and transmits a tone signal TONE to show execution of a fast procedure in response to reception of the signal CI. Receiving the signal TONE, the device Tx transmits a fast digital instruction signal 'SDSC', and the device Rx transmits a signal 'SCFR' (equivalent to standard DIS signal) to notify the device Tx of reception of the signal 'SDCS' and carries out a preprocedure. Thereafter, the communication is carried out like the normal facsimile communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication method and a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile communication capable of processing a so-called pre-procedure before transmission of image data, which is the original communication object of the facsimile communication, at a higher speed than before and the facsimile communication. The present invention relates to a used facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In facsimile communication, image data, which is the original purpose, is converted from a digital signal into a voice signal which can be transmitted through a communication network, and vice versa. The transmission speed of itself is increasing. However, there is still room for speeding up of the other control signal transmission speeds, control procedure processing speeds, etc., as compared with the speeding up of image data transmission speeds.

[0003]

When using facsimile communication in a company or the like, since the amount of data in one facsimile communication is relatively large, the time other than the transmission of image data is not so problematic. Often not. But,
When an individual uses facsimile communication at home, the amount of data for one facsimile communication is generally small, so the time required for parts other than image data transmission, especially the so-called pre-procedure part, is long. felt.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and there is a pre-procedure portion in which there is room for speeding up compared with the transmission rate of image data which is the original object of facsimile communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication method and a facsimile device that achieve high speed.

[0005]

In a facsimile communication method according to the present invention, a receiving side device sends a tone signal indicating execution of a high speed procedure after closing a line in response to an incoming call, and a transmitting side device It is characterized in that the high-speed digital command signal is transmitted upon reception of the tone signal, and the receiving side device executes the pre-procedure by transmitting the high-speed digital identification signal upon reception of the high-speed digital command signal.

The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is, as a receiving side apparatus, means for closing a line in response to an incoming call, means for transmitting a tone signal indicating execution of a high speed procedure after closing the line, and high speed. It is characterized in that it comprises a detecting means for detecting the reception of the digital command signal and a means for sending out the high speed digital identification signal when the detecting means detects the high speed digital command signal.

Further, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is, as a transmitting side apparatus, a detecting means for detecting a tone signal indicating execution of a high speed procedure after calling, and a high speed digital command signal when the detecting means detects the tone signal. Means for sending out, a detection means for detecting the high-speed digital identification signal,
And a means for starting transmission of image data when the detecting means detects a high-speed digital identification signal.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

Reference numeral 11 is a CPU that functions as a control device.
An LCD (liquid crystal display device) 12 functioning as a display device via a bus 10 and its driver 13, a key matrix 14 functioning as an input device, and its interface (I
/ F) 15, ROM that stores programs for operating procedures of this facsimile machine 16, RAM that functions as a storage means for temporarily storing received data, data to be transmitted, etc.
7, It is connected to a part that controls digital signal processing such as a CODEC 18 that functions as a coding / decoding device for a binary image signal.

The RAM 17 is provided with an abbreviated table 170 for an abbreviated dial function generally provided in facsimile machines. Figure 2 shows the shortened table 17
It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of 0. For example, a two-digit abbreviated number and an attribute flag are prepared for each of a plurality of pre-registered telephone numbers. The attribute flag is a flag indicating whether or not the facsimile device of each telephone number has a function of performing the pre-procedure in a shortened manner (a function capable of the facsimile communication method of the present invention).
Specifically, it is shown that the facsimile communication method of the present invention, that is, the facsimile communication according to the shortening procedure is possible with the facsimile apparatus of the telephone number whose attribute flag is set to "1". It should be noted that the attribute flag is updated in the calling side device by determining the function of the partner device, the communication result, etc., each time one communication is completed.

Further, the CPU 11 includes a CCD (charge coupled device) 21 for reading an original document, an image processing section 22 for converting an analog image signal read by the CCD 21 into a digital image signal via a bus 10, and a digital image signal for a paper sheet. It is connected to a portion for reading and printing an image, such as a printer 23 for printing. Further, the CPU 11 is also connected via the bus 10 to a network control unit (NCU) 31 for connecting the device to a communication line network 40, a modem 32, and other parts for controlling communication functions.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is controlled by the CPU 11 according to the program stored in the ROM 16, and the general operation is as follows. Facsimile communication is based on International Telecommunication Union (ITU) -T Recommendation T.4, phase A (call setup) and message for connecting a communication line between two devices.
Phase B (pre-message procedure) for exchanging various conventions for transmitting (original data to be originally transmitted / received) in advance, Phase C (message transmission) for exchanging messages, message end It is stipulated that the steps be performed in five phases: Phase D (post message procedure) for confirming the above and confirmation, and Phase E (call release) for disconnecting the communication line between the two devices.

When carrying out ordinary facsimile communication, the user operates the key matrix 14 to instruct the transmission and dial the telephone number of the other party. In response to this, the CPU 11 first sets up a call for phase A. That is, the CPU 11 gives an instruction to the NCU 31, connects to the communication line network 40, and performs a calling operation. When the line is connected to the facsimile machine of the communication partner by the call setting, the CPU 11 sets the phase B
By performing the pre-message procedure of 1., the functions required for both devices are identified and selected.

In the phase B pre-message procedure, the facsimile machines on the transmitting side and the receiving side have confidential functions,
In addition to identifying whether or not a non-standard function such as a relay function is provided, the functions such as recording paper size and coding method are set.

During this time, the original document to be transmitted by the user is CCD
When it is read by the CCD 21, the analog image signal read from the original by the CCD 21 is converted into a digital image signal by the image processing unit 22, and further coded (compressed) by the codec 18 according to a so-called run length coding method, and once
Accumulated in M 17.

After this, the CPU 11 synchronizes the phase and synchronization of the signals with the phase C message transmission, that is, the coded digital image signal (message) obtained from the original document to be transmitted to the communication partner is received by the modem 32 and the NCU. Send through 31.

When all the messages have been sent, the CPU
11 is a phase D post message procedure, that is, the end and confirmation of the message. Once this confirmation is obtained, the CP
U 11 gives an instruction to NCU 31 to disconnect the line, that is, to release the call in phase E.

The above is the basic operation on the calling side in the ordinary facsimile communication, but the basic operation when receiving on the called side is as follows.

In the called machine, when the NCU 31 is connected to the communication network 40 by the call setting from the partner device (calling machine), the CPU
In step 11, first, the pre-message procedure of phase B is performed, so that communication with the caller becomes possible. Thereafter, the CPU 11 receives, via the NCU 31 and the modem 32, the coded digital image signal of the document to be received by the phase C message transmission. This encoded digital image signal is temporarily stored in the RAM 17 from the modem 32. The coded digital image signal stored in the RAM 17 is normally immediately sequentially decoded by the codec 18 into the original digital image signal,
It is given to the printer 23 as it is and printed on paper,
Alternatively, the image is displayed by being supplied to the LCD 12 from the LCD driver 13.

However, if there is no paper in the printer 23, or if the operator wishes to make appropriate settings in advance, or if the confidential function, which is one of the non-standard functions, is used for reception, the RAM 17 The message accumulated in is stored as it is and is not output unless a print output operation is performed.

When all the original signals to be received have been received, the CPU 11 exchanges the phase D post-message procedure with the calling device, and when this is confirmed, the phase E call is released. Terminate communication.

By the way, the facsimile communication method and the facsimile apparatus of the present invention are characterized by the pre-procedures executed in the above-mentioned phase A and phase B. Hereinafter, with respect to a specific procedure of the facsimile communication method of the present invention, a facsimile machine on the transmitting side (that is, a calling machine, hereinafter,
This will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 3 showing the transmission and reception of signals between the transmitting side device Tx) and the receiving side facsimile device (that is, the called device, hereinafter referred to as the receiving side device Rx).

First, a call is made from the transmitting device Tx,
The calling signal CI is transmitted from the transmission side device Tx to the reception side device Rx through the central office switch. Receiving device Rx responds to the incoming call by closing the line and then executing the fast procedure tone signal TONE
Is sent. The transmitting side device Tx sends out the high speed digital command signal "SDCS" upon reception of the tone signal TONE, and the receiving side device Rx notifies the transmitting side of the reception of this high speed digital command signal "SDCS""SCFR (standard DIS Equivalent to a signal) ”
To execute the pre-procedure.

After that, the same communication as the ordinary facsimile communication is performed, and in the case where the receiving side device Rx receives the image signal PIX sent from the sending side device Tx and, for example, the transmission of a plurality of pages is illustrated. As shown in 3,
The message end signal EOM, the multi-page signal MPS, and the procedure end signal EOP are sent from the transmitter device Tx, while the message confirmation signal MCF is sent from the receiver device Rx. Thereafter, the image data of each page is transmitted from the transmission side device Tx, and finally the transmission side device Tx transmits the line disconnection command DCN.

Next, the control procedure by the CPU 11 of the transmitting side device Tx and the control procedure by the CPU 11 of the receiving side device Rx when the facsimile communication method of the present invention performed by the above-described procedure is performed by an actual facsimile apparatus. Will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively and FIG. 6 showing the waveforms of the output signals from both devices.

First, in the sending facsimile machine, the CP
U 11 causes the NCU 31 to connect to the communication network 40 (step ST11: line closed), and performs a call procedure to the facsimile machine on the receiving side (step ST12), which is shown as "CNG" in FIG. Call tone is sent as if
13) .

When the receiving device Rx detects the call signal "CI" from the transmitting device Tx (step SR11: CI detection),
The CPU 11 causes the NCU 31 to connect the communication line network 40 (step SR12: line closed), and performs tone transmission as shown as "TONE" in FIG. 6 (step SR13). The tone transmission from the receiving side device Rx is performed within 1 second during the off period of the "CNG" signal from the transmitting side device Tx.

In the meantime, in the transmission side device Tx, the CPU 11 has the RAM
The shortened table 170 in 17 is collated, and the attribute of the receiving side device Rx, that is, the attribute flag ON (“1”) / OFF (“0”)
(Step ST14). The attribute flag is on,
That is, if it is set to "1", the transmitter device Tx
The CPU 11 checks whether or not a tone signal (TONE) has been sent from the receiving device Rx (step ST15). Tone signal (TONE)
6 is detected, the CPU 11 of the transmitting side device Tx displays "SD" in FIG.
As shown by "CS", a high-speed digital command signal which is a non-standard function command is transmitted at 14.4 kbps or 9600 bps (step ST16).

In the receiving side device Rx, the high speed digital command signal "SDC from the transmitting side device Tx is sent after the tone signal (TONE) is transmitted.
When S "is received (step SR14), the CPU 11 sends a signal" SCFR "for notifying the transmitting side of the reception of the high speed digital command signal" SDCS "as a response signal thereto (step SR15).

When the high speed digital identification signal "SCFR" from the receiving side device Rx is received (step ST17), the CPU 11 of the transmitting side device Tx displays the image data as shown as "PIX" in FIG. Is transmitted (step ST18), and the receiving side device Rx receives it (step SR16). When the transmission and reception of this image data (PIX) is completed, both devices will send CP
U 11 causes the NCU 31 to open the communication network 40 (steps ST19, SR17).

By the way, in the above description, the operation procedure is shown when the attribute flag corresponding to the telephone number registered in the shortening table 170 of the transmission side device Tx is set to "1". However, if the receiving side device Rx is the other party for the transmitting side device Tx to perform the facsimile transmission for the first time, the user registers the telephone number of the receiving side device Rx in the shortened table 170 in advance, and then the facsimile device is generally used. The transmission is performed using the speed dial function that is built into the system. In this case, the speed table 170 is used.
Although the telephone number is registered in, the attribute flag corresponding to the telephone number remains the initial value "0".

When performing facsimile transmission to the receiving side device Rx having the telephone number just registered as described above,
In ST14, the CPU 11 of the transmission side device Tx uses the shortened table 170
It is read from the contents that the attribute flag corresponding to the telephone number of the receiving device Rx is "0". In this case, the CPU 11 does not output the high speed digital command signal "SDCS" in step ST16. Therefore, the receiving device Rx
The determination result of whether or not the high-speed digital command signal "SDCS" was received by SR14 is "NO", and the CPU 11 has a called station identification signal "CED" and a digital identification signal "DIS", and a shortening procedure. A non-standard procedure signal "NSF" indicating that is sent (step SR18).

The CPU 11 of the transmitter device Tx is
It is judged whether or not the called station identification signal "CED" and digital identification signal "DIS" and the non-standard procedure signal "NSF" sent from the Rx are detected (step ST23). Whether or not (step ST2
4) Calling tone "CNG if the specified time has not elapsed
"The processing is returned to the sending step ST13. The called station identification signal" CED "from the transmitting side device Tx is reached by the lapse of a predetermined time.
And digital identification signal "DIS", non-standard procedure signal "NS"
If "F" is detected, the CPU 11 of the transmitter Tx performs facsimile communication according to the normal procedure defined by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) -T Recommendation T.4 (step
ST21). Correspondingly, facsimile communication is performed by the receiving side device Rx according to the normal procedure (step SR19).
.

In this way, between the receiving side device Rx whose attribute flag of the shortening table 170 is "0" and the transmitting side device Tx.
If non-standard procedure signal is sent by the normal procedure "
NSF ”indicates that the receiving side device Rx has a shortening procedure, and when communication is performed at 9600 bps or 14.4 kbps or more, the CPU 11 of the transmitting side device Tx updates the contents of the shortening table 170, that is, Change from "0" to "1".

However, if the called station identification signal "CED" and the digital identification signal "DIS" are not detected in the process of step ST23 even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the CPU 11 of the transmission side device Tx determines the NCU 31. The connection with the communication line network 40 is cut off (step ST19: line open). Non-standard procedure signal ”
If the NSF "cannot be received, or if the receiving side device Rx does not have a shortening procedure even if it can be received, the attribute flag remains" 0 ".

It should be noted that the CPU 11 of the transmitting side device Tx makes the step ST
If the tone signal "TONE" cannot be detected at 15, it is considered that the receiving side device Rx does not have the function of the facsimile communication method of the present invention.
As in the case of the receiving side device Rx having the telephone number whose attribute flag is “0”, the CPU 11 of the transmitting side device Tx executes the step
ST23, ST21, ST22 are processed in this order and shortened table 170
Attribute flag corresponding to that telephone number of "1" to "
Update to 0 ".

Further, even when the transmitting side device Tx cannot receive the high speed digital identification signal "SCFR" in step ST17, the receiving side device Rx is not considered to have the function of the facsimile communication method of the present invention. Device Tx
The CPU 11 sends out a calling tone, detects the called station identification signal "CED" and the digital identification signal "DIS" from the receiving side device Rx in response to the tone (step ST20), and thereafter in step ST15 described above. Perform the same processing as when the tone signal "TONE" cannot be detected.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the facsimile communication method and the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the high-speed pre-procedure is immediately executed after the receiving-side apparatus responds to the transmitting-side apparatus after receiving the call. It becomes possible to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of a shortening table in the RAM of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the procedure of the facsimile communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a CPU when the facsimile apparatus of the present invention becomes a transmitting side facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU when the facsimile apparatus of the present invention becomes a receiving side facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing output signal waveforms from both devices when the facsimile device of the present invention is a transmitting device and a receiving device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 CPU 31 NCU 40 Communication line network 170 Shortened table Tx sender device Rx receiver device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A receiving side device sends a tone signal indicating execution of a high speed procedure after closing a line in response to an incoming call, and a transmitting side device sends a high speed digital command signal by receiving the tone signal. The facsimile communication method, wherein the receiving side device executes a pre-procedure by transmitting a signal notifying the receiving side device that the high speed digital command signal has been received. 2. A means for closing a line in response to an incoming call,
Means for sending a tone signal indicating execution of the high speed procedure after closing the line, means for detecting reception of the high speed digital command signal, and signal for notifying that the means has detected the high speed digital command signal And a means for performing the same. 3. A means for detecting a tone signal indicating execution of a high speed procedure after calling, a means for transmitting a high speed digital command signal when the detecting means detects the tone signal, and a means for receiving the high speed digital command signal. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a means for detecting a signal to be notified; and a means for starting transmission of image data when the means detects a signal to notify reception of a high speed digital command signal.