JPH10117254A - Multi-function device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the multi-function device in which reception is made efficient by receiving data sent from a line, on behalf of a host device independently of a state of the host device and the received data are transferred to the host device, when it is restored. SOLUTION: A communication control section 7 analyzes a control signal in data sent through transmission control with a transmitter source device by a communication protocol and sends data to an interface section 8 and a monitor control section 10, when the data are data sent to a host device 1. The interface section 8 converts the data into data that are processed by the host device 1 and sends the converted data to the host device 1. The monitor control section 10 adds monitor information, including a file number and a reception time, to the data sent from the control means control section 7 and stores the result to a storage section 11, so as to receive the received data on behalf of the host device 11 independently of the state thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction device which transmits / receives data to / from a public line and has a function as a modem of a host device, and more particularly to an efficient reception of data transmitted from a transmission source device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multifunction device which transmits and receives data to and from a public line and has a function as a modem of a host device is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-3-248668. In this apparatus, first control means for controlling a computer function unit which is a host device, second control means for controlling a facsimile function unit, and communication between the first control means and the second control means And an interface means for taking the data. Then, when the second control means detects an incoming call from the public line, the state of the first control means is confirmed via the interface means, and the data transmitted via the line cannot be received. , The line is disconnected after the elapse of the timeout period.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned multi-function device, when data transmitted from the line cannot be received by the host device, a call is received and the line is disconnected after a lapse of a timeout period. In addition, the transmission source device has to change the time and then perform the call processing again to retransmit the data, which is very troublesome.

[0004] Further, if the modem or the like of the transmission source device has an automatic recall function, if the incoming call is received and the line is disconnected, the call is repeated many times, so that the transmission source device side is charged unnecessarily. There is a possibility that congestion may occur because the communication is occupied and the line is occupied during that time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a disadvantage, and receives data transmitted from a line on behalf of the host device and receives the data when the host device returns, regardless of the state of the host device. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a multifunction device that improves reception efficiency by transferring data.

[0006]

A multifunction device according to the present invention has a communication control unit, an interface unit, a monitor control unit, and a storage unit, and the communication control unit uses a communication protocol when an incoming call is received. The data transmitted by controlling the transmission with the transmission source device is analyzed, and if the data is transmitted to the host device, the data is transmitted to the interface unit and the monitor control unit, and the interface unit is transmitted from the communication control unit. The received data is converted into data that can be handled by the host device and transmitted, and the control signal received from the host device is received. The monitor control unit adds the file number and reception time to the transferred data. Monitor information including the monitor information and sending the data to the storage unit. The storage unit stores the data to which the monitor information is added and relates to the state of the host device. Wherein the intercepting data transmitted from the source device does.

Further, the multifunction device has a status monitor, the status monitor checks the status of the host device by monitoring a control signal received from the host device by the interface unit, and the monitor controller checks the status of the host device. When the monitoring unit confirms that the reception of the data has been completed while the host device is in a normal state, the data to which the monitor information corresponding to the data is added may be selected from the storage unit and deleted.

Further, the monitor control unit adds the monitor information when it confirms that the host device can be received by the state monitoring unit and confirms that data with the monitor information added is stored in the storage unit. It is desirable that the selected data be selected from the storage unit and sent to the communication control unit, and the communication control unit output the data to which the monitor information added from the monitor control unit is added to the host device via the interface unit.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A multi-function device according to the present invention functions as a modem for a host device in addition to various functions for printing or facsimile transmitting data sent from the host device on a recording sheet by connecting to the host device. In order to perform this, it has a network control unit, a modem unit, a communication control unit, an interface unit, a monitor control unit, and a storage unit. The network control unit controls the network of the line to output, for example, data composed of image data and control signals sent from the communication control unit at the time of calling to the line, and from the transmission source device via the line at the time of incoming call. For example, it receives the data composed of the transmitted image data and control signal, for example. The modulation / demodulation unit demodulates data received by the network control unit when receiving a call, and modulates data transmitted from the communication control unit when calling. The communication control unit analyzes the control signal of the data demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit at the time of an incoming call in addition to the transmission control with the transmission source device by the communication protocol, and if the data is sent to the host device, the communication control unit and the interface unit The demodulated data is sent to the monitor control unit. The interface unit converts the demodulated data to, for example, RS232C.
The data is converted into data that can be handled by the host device in accordance with the standards and transmitted, and the control signal sent from the host device is received. The monitor control unit adds monitor information including a file number, a reception time, and the like to the demodulated data sent from the communication control unit and sends the data to the storage unit. The storage unit stores the data to which the sent monitor information is added.

When the network control unit establishes a line by an incoming call from the transmission source device, the communication control unit performs transmission control with the transmission source device according to the communication protocol and transmits a control signal of the transmitted data. If the data is analyzed and sent to the host device, the demodulated data is sent to the interface unit and the monitor control unit. The interface unit converts the data sent from the communication control unit into data that can be handled by the host device regardless of the state of the host device, and transmits the data. The monitor control unit adds monitor information to the data sent from the communication control unit and sends the data to the storage unit. Then, the storage unit stores the data to which the monitor information is added.

In this way, when a line is established by an incoming call from a transmission source device, transmission control with the transmission source device is performed by a communication protocol to store data sent to the host device. Therefore, the transmitted data can be received on behalf of the host device regardless of the state.

In the above description, the data transmitted from the transmission source device is stored in the storage unit regardless of the state of the host device. However, the host device can correctly receive the transmitted data. It can be stored in the storage unit only when there is no such information. In this case, the multifunction device has a status monitoring unit, and the status monitoring unit monitors the on / off state of a control signal received from the host device from the host device, for example, a data terminal ready signal, thereby turning on the power of the host device. Check whether the status of the host device such as ON / OFF of the host is normal. When the status control unit confirms that the host device has received data normally without detecting the OFF of the data terminal ready signal while receiving the data sent from the line in the status monitoring unit, The data to which the monitor information corresponding to the data is added is selected from the storage unit and deleted.

In this way, when the status of the host device is monitored and it is confirmed that the host device has normally received the data transmitted from the line, the data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the data is deleted. Since the data is selectively erased, only the data for which the host device cannot correctly receive the transmitted data can be stored in the storage unit and left.

When the host device connected to the multi-function device is powered on, for example, from power off, the status monitoring unit receives a control signal from the host device received by the interface unit, such as a data terminal ready signal. By monitoring from off to on, it is confirmed whether or not the host device can receive data. When the state monitoring unit confirms that the host device can receive the data, the monitor control unit confirms whether data to which the monitor information is added is stored in the storage unit. When the data is stored, the data to which the monitor information is added is selected from the storage unit and transmitted to the communication control unit. The communication control unit outputs data to which the monitor information added from the monitor control unit is added to the interface unit. Then, the interface unit converts the data transmitted from the communication control unit into data that can be handled by the host device, and transmits the data.

In this way, when the status of the host device is monitored and the status becomes normal, if the data sent from the host device and received by the proxy is stored in the storage unit, the data is selected. Since the data is sent to the host device via the interface unit, the host device can receive the data from the line that could not be received when it becomes normal.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the multifunction device connects to the host device 1 and prints data sent from the host device 1 on a recording sheet under control of the CPU 2 or prints data sent from the host device 1. In addition to various functions such as facsimile transmission or facsimile transmission of data obtained by reading an image of an original with the scanner 4, in order to function as a modem of the host device 1,
It has a network control unit 5, a modem unit 6, a communication control unit 7, an interface unit 8, a state monitoring unit 9, a monitor control unit 10, and a storage unit 11. The network control unit 5 performs network control such as establishment or disconnection of a line to output data composed of, for example, image data and a control signal from the communication control unit 7 to the line at the time of calling, and to switch the line at the time of call reception. For example, it receives data composed of, for example, image data and a control signal from a transmission source device transmitted via the communication device. The modulator / demodulator 6 demodulates the data received by the network controller 5 when receiving a call, and modulates the data sent from the communication controller 7 when calling. The communication control unit 7 analyzes a control signal of data demodulated by the modem unit 6 at the time of an incoming call in addition to the transmission control with the transmission source device according to the communication protocol, and if the data is transmitted to the host device 1 The demodulated data is transmitted to the interface unit 8 and the monitor control unit 10. Also,
If the data has been sent as a normal facsimile transmission, the data is sent out under the control of the CPU 2 and printed on a recording sheet by the plotter 3, for example. The interface unit 8 converts the demodulated data into data that can be handled by the host device 1 according to a standard such as RS232C, transmits the data to the host device 1, and transmits the data to the host device 1.
The control signal sent from is received. The status monitoring unit 9 monitors the control signal from the host device 1 received by the interface unit 8, such as the data terminal ready signal, for example, on / off and the like, thereby turning on / off the power of the host device 1. Check if the status is normal. The monitor control unit 10 adds the monitor information including the file number, the reception time and the like to the demodulated data sent from the communication control unit 7 at the time of receiving the call, and outputs the data to the storage unit 11. When the status monitoring unit 9 confirms that the host device 1 has received data normally without detecting the OFF of the data terminal ready signal while the host device 1 receives data transmitted from the line, Selects from the storage unit 11 data to which monitor information corresponding to the data is added and deletes the selected data. The storage unit 11 stores the data added with the monitor information sent from the monitor control unit 10.

The operation of the multi-function device configured as described above when a call is received from the transmission source device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in the figure, when the network control unit 5 establishes a line by an incoming call from the transmission source device (step S
1), the communication control unit 7 analyzes the control signal of the transmitted data by performing transmission control with the transmission source device according to the communication protocol, and if the data is transmitted to the host device 1 ( In step S2, the demodulated data is transmitted to the interface unit 8 and the monitor control unit 10 (step S3). If the data is sent as a normal facsimile transmission (step S2), the data is sent out under the control of the CPU 2 to operate as a normal facsimile apparatus, for example, to print on a recording sheet by the plotter 3 (step S2). Step S4). The interface unit 8 converts the data sent from the communication control unit 7 into data that can be handled by the host device 1 irrespective of the state of the host device 1 and transmits the data (step S5). The monitor control unit 10 adds the monitor information to the data sent from the communication control unit 7 and sends the data, and the storage unit 11 stores the data with the monitor information added (step S6).

In this way, when a line is established by an incoming call from a transmission source device, data transmitted to the host device 1 is stored by controlling transmission with the transmission source device according to the communication protocol. Therefore, the transmitted data can be received on behalf of the host device 1 irrespective of the state of the host device 1.

The state monitoring unit 9 monitors the on / off state of a control signal, for example, a data terminal ready signal, from the host apparatus 1 to turn on / off the power supply of the host apparatus 1. It is checked whether the state is normal (step S7). Then, the monitor control unit 10 confirms that the host device 1 has normally received the data without the state monitoring unit 9 detecting, for example, the OFF of the data terminal ready signal while the host device 1 receives the transmitted data. If confirmed, the data to which the monitor information corresponding to the data is added is selected from the storage unit 11 and erased (Step S).
8). Further, while the host device 1 receives the transmitted data, the status monitoring unit 9 causes the host device 1 to turn off because the power of the host device 1 is turned off or the memory of the host device 1 overflows and malfunctions. (Step S7), the operation ends without deleting the data with the monitor information stored in the storage unit 11 by the monitor control unit 10.

As described above, when the status of the host device 1 is monitored and it is confirmed that the host device 1 has normally received the data transmitted from the line, the data is stored in the storage unit 11 corresponding to the data. Since the selected data is selected and erased, only the data that the host device 1 has not been able to receive correctly can be stored and left in the storage unit 11.

In the above description, the operation of the multi-function device when there is an incoming call from the source device has been described. However, when the connected host device 1 returns to a normal state after being turned on, for example, from power off. Next, an operation of transferring data to which the monitor information is added to the host device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In a state where the host apparatus 1 previously stores data sent from the transmission source apparatus and added with the monitor information in the storage unit 11 while the power is off or the like, the state monitoring unit 9 receives the host apparatus 1 It is confirmed that the status of the host device has become normal by monitoring, for example, the data terminal ready signal, which is a control signal from 1 from OFF to ON, (step S10). When the state monitoring unit 9 confirms that the state of the host device 1 has become normal, the monitor control unit 10 confirms whether data to which monitor information has been added is stored in the storage unit 11 (step S).
11). If the data is stored, the data to which the monitor information is added is selected from the storage unit 11 and transmitted to the communication control unit 7 (step S12). Then, the communication control unit 7 outputs the data to which the monitor information added from the monitor control unit 10 is added to the interface unit 8, and the interface unit 8 handles the data sent from the communication control unit 7 by the host device 1. The data is transferred by converting it into data that can be transmitted to the host device 1 (step S13). Here, the host device 1 sends the data to which the monitor information has been added to the
Since the data is transmitted according to a standard such as 2C, it can be received as data transmitted from a normal modem.
That is, the host device 1 can receive data to which monitor information has been added using general application software without using special application software. In addition, since monitor information is added to the transmitted data, the time at which the data was received can be confirmed on the display or the like of the host device 1.

As described above, when the status of the host device 1 is monitored and the status becomes normal, if the data sent from the host device 1 and received on behalf of the host device 1 is stored in the storage unit 11, the data is The host device 1 is selected and sent to the host device 1 via the interface unit 8.
Can receive the data from the line that could not be received when it becomes normal.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a line is established by an incoming call from a transmission source device, the transmission control with the transmission source device is performed by a communication protocol and transmitted to the host device. The data is stored, and the data sent from the host device is received on behalf of the host device. Therefore, it is not necessary to send the data again from the source device side, and the reception efficiency can be improved. it can.

When the status of the host device is monitored and it is confirmed that the host device has normally received the data transmitted from the line, the data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the data is selected. Since the data is erased, only the data that the host device cannot correctly receive the transmitted data can be stored and left in the storage unit.

Further, when the status of the host device is monitored and the status becomes normal, if the data sent from the host device and received by proxy is stored in the storage unit, the data is selected and the interface unit is selected. Since the data is sent to the host device via the host device, the host device can receive the data that could not be received when the data becomes normal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when a call is received from the transmission source device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the host device of the embodiment transfers data sent from a transmission source device to the host device while the power is off or the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host apparatus 2 CPU 3 Plotter 4 Scanner 5 Network control part 6 Modulation / demodulation part 7 Communication control part 8 Interface part 9 State monitoring part 10 Monitor control part 11 Storage part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A multi-function device that transmits and receives data to and from a public line and has a function as a modem of a host device. The multi-function device includes a communication control unit, an interface unit, a monitor control unit, and a storage unit. When there is, the transmission control is performed with the transmission source device by the communication protocol, the transmitted data is analyzed, and if the data is transmitted to the host device, the data is transmitted to the interface unit and the monitor control unit, The interface unit converts the data sent from the communication control unit into data that can be handled by the host device and transmits the data, and also receives the control signal sent from the host device, and the monitor control unit has been transferred. The monitor information including the file number and the reception time is added to the data and sent to the storage unit, and the storage unit adds the sent monitor information to the storage unit. Storing the data, the multifunction device, characterized in that the state intercept data transmitted from the source device regardless of the host device. 2. The multi-function device has a status monitor, wherein the status monitor checks the status of the host device by monitoring a control signal received from the host device by the interface unit, and the monitor control unit determines the status of the host device. 2. The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein when the monitoring unit confirms that the reception of the data has been completed while the host device is in a normal state, the data to which the monitor information corresponding to the data is added is selected from the storage unit and deleted. Function device. 3. The monitor control unit, when confirming that the host device can be received by the state monitoring unit, and when confirming that data to which the monitor information is added is stored in the storage unit,
The data to which the monitor information is added is selected from the storage unit and sent to the communication control unit, and the communication control unit outputs the data to which the monitor information is sent from the monitor control unit to the host device via the interface unit. The multifunction device according to claim 2.