JPS62154946A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the probability that equipment is in communication and to send 'pattern' in response to many and unspecified incoming signals by storing a facsimile original in a storage circuit previously, connecting plural information paths for sending a facsimile signal, and switching and using the information paths selectively. CONSTITUTION:A control circuit 18 in case of detecting the depression of an original read-in switch 15a actuates equipment in local mode to detect whether or not there is an original at an original readout part 7 and then starts reading the original when there is the original. An image signal is stored in a memory 10 through an image signal processing part 8 and a storage and readout circuit 9. When there is a polling signal, the contents of the memory 10 are sent out of an information channel B1 to a network side through the storage and readout circuit 9, (route a-1), a switching circuit 14, (route b-1), a channel selecting circuit 3, and (route c-1) in order.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] This invention is capable of sending pre-stored "picture cards, etc." in response to incoming calls from an unspecified number of people, and can also perform normal facsimile communication at the same time. The present invention relates to a facsimile machine that can perform

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, when calling a specific number, a pre-recorded voice or sound can be heard, which is used as information for the general public to enjoy. If this TE/Fin service is applied to facsimile, the following new services can be created.

From my own facsimile machine, 4! By dialing a fixed number, for example, you can receive information such as 1) autographs and handprints of famous people, 2) information on discount menus at Kiku H store, 3) Hyunori's answers to exams at cram schools, and 4) winning lottery numbers. 1j) services can be realized. In order to realize and disseminate services (hereinafter referred to as services) that are provided to an unspecified number of people using facsimile, it is important that not only centers but also individuals can become information providers. It is Shigeyasu. Technically speaking, a facsimile machine for this purpose is capable of: ■ being able to send the same picture to as many numbers as possible; (hereinafter referred to as "polling incoming calls"); ■ There is a low probability that someone else will not be able to receive the call because it is busy (communicating); ■ Normally, it can be used as a normal facsimile; This service and normal facsimile communication can be used simultaneously according to However, depending on the combination of simultaneous use, there are cases where communication is possible and cases where it is not possible, and it is necessary to be able to distinguish between these categories.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional facsimile machines, even those equipped with a polling function, when an incoming call is received, the document placed on the document table is scanned and the signal is transmitted. Therefore, when there are many incoming calls like in this service, it is necessary to reset the original each time, and if you forget to set the original or there is a delay, the service This results in the disadvantage that provision may be hindered. In addition, as center services, for example, I
In the NS model system, a ``broadcast communication service'' has been implemented as a facsimile communication service that sends the same information to multiple parties, but this is a service that sends the same information to a destination number specified in advance. The service has not been realized and the technical means for providing it to an unspecified number of people have not been disclosed. Furthermore, it is difficult for an individual to install this center service equipment, and furthermore, it cannot be used simultaneously as a normal facsimile and a B7 machine, or as a tree service and a normal facsimile.

This invention was made to solve these drawbacks, and it enables simultaneous reception of multiple polling calls, or reception of polling calls and normal facsimile communication, etc., and eliminates inconvenient simultaneous communications by controlling a control circuit. M[
The purpose is to provide JIIJ with a facsimile machine that can reject combinations.

[Failure to solve the problem]

A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage circuit for storing an image signal, an incoming call type identification circuit for identifying whether an incoming call is to send image information or to be received, an information path selection circuit to select an information path, and a plurality of incoming calls. It is equipped with an image signal transmission route, a switching circuit for selecting the image signal transmission route, a storage circuit, an information path selection circuit, and a control circuit for controlling the switching circuit.

[Effect]

In this invention, the incoming call type identification circuit identifies whether the incoming call sends image information or receives the incoming call, and when the incoming call sends image information, the control circuit controls the switching circuit to select the image information stored in the storage circuit. is sent. If you receive a call that requires image information, receive it as usual.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a case where a tree service is performed using a facsimile device according to the present invention, where FA is a facsimile device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FBI...
・F B n is a normal facsimile machine used by an unspecified number of people to take pictures, and C is an exchange.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of the facsimile machine FA shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the facsimile machine FB+ shown in FIG. The case of a digital facsimile connected to a digital network having two information channels and one signal channel (D channel) is shown.

Note that FIG. 1 shows only the parts necessary for the explanation in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a transmission interface unit, which includes a call activation unit that activates the facsimile machine when an incoming call is received;
A balanced/unbalanced conversion circuit that connects a balanced subscriber line and an unbalanced facsimile device circuit, a line driver/receiver that sends and receives digital signals between each facsimile device and the subscriber line, and converts received digital signals into It includes a synchronization extraction/timing generation unit that performs synchronization and generates the necessary timing within the facsimile machine. 2 is a reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly unit, which converts the received bit string into Bl.
, B2 and D channels, and B1 . The B2 and D channel signals are assembled into bit strings for transmission. 3 is a channel selection circuit, which connects information channels B, ., B2 and switching circuits 14.3 to be described later. The manuscript output section 192 and the call function section 4 can be
[Connect simultaneously or separately. Reference numeral 4 denotes a telephone function section, which includes a handset 4a and a telephone circuit 4b, and is used for telephone conversation with the other party. Reference numeral 5 denotes an error control unit which adds bits for detecting transmission errors at the time of transmission, and checks transmission errors in the received signal at the time of reception. 6 is a network control unit which includes a dial 6a, an automatic call response unit 6b, and a control unit for starting facsimile communication. It includes a communication control procedure setting circuit 6C that executes communication control procedures such as communication speed and paper size with the other device at the time of termination. 7
1 is a document reading section, which includes a document table 7a, a document detection section 7b, a scanning circuit 7c, a photoelectric conversion circuit 7d, and an image processing circuit 7e.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an image signal processing section, which includes a redundancy suppressing section 8a that suppresses the redundancy of the image signal from the document reading section 7, and a sampling φ quantizing section 8b that converts it into a digital signal. Reference numeral 9 denotes a storage/readout circuit for storing the output of the image signal processing unit 8 in a memory 1o (described later) and reading out the contents of the memory 10, 10 a memory for storing the image signal, and 11 for reading the contents of the memory 1G. A backup power source is used to maintain power even when the power supply circuit 20 is stopped. 12 is a talker section for storing both signals and audio at the same time if necessary. 13 is a synchronization when reading the memory φ. and a synchronization circuit that synchronizes the transmission to the network and the readout speed, and 14 is the output of the storage/readout circuit 9, or the output of both signal processing sections 8 and the channel selection circuit 3, or the document output section 19 to be described later. 15 is a switch for connecting simultaneously or separately in various combinations; 15al-1: starts the facsimile machine without performing a connection procedure with the network (starts in local mode);
A document reading switch 15b is used to store the contents of the document in memory 0, and a document output unit 19 stores the contents of the memory 0.
A confirmation switch 15c is used to confirm the output to facsimile machine FA, and 15c is facsimile machine FB shown in Fig. 1.
15d is a transmitting switch for sending a document, i5e is a receiving switch for receiving a document, and 15f is a polling switch for requesting a polling call when used as a normal facsimile device. a start switch 16 for starting the device; 16 is a control circuit 1 for controlling the output of the switch 15;
17 is an incoming call type identification circuit for identifying whether an incoming call is a normal incoming call or a polling incoming call; 18 is an incoming call type identification circuit for determining the status of the facsimile machine; it performs state transitions, instructs to store/read documents, and performs polling; A control circuit 19 controls channel selection at the time of receiving a call, sending out of a stored original, etc., and 19 includes a recording conversion unit and a two-image encoding/decoding unit on the receiving side corresponding to the original reading unit 7 and image signal processing unit 8 on the sending side. The document output section 20 is a power supply circuit for supplying the power required within the apparatus, and is connected to the switch section 15, switch interface section 16, and control circuit 18 so that it can detect the press of a switch and the incoming call even in the standby state. Electric power is supplied to the automatic call response section within the control section 6. Reference numeral 21 denotes an alarm display section to inform the operator of an incorrect operation or unavailability of the device, and reference numeral 22 denotes a connection failure display section that informs the partner device that communication is not possible.

Here, the call function section 4. Net system part 6. Original reading section 71
1 signal processing section 8. The original output unit 19 can be configured using technical means realized in existing facsimile machines. The facsimile machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is normally placed on standby in an automatic incoming call state.

In FIG. 3, numerals 31 and 32 are the same transmission interface section and reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly section as in the case of FIG. , 34 is a network control unit, dial 34a, automatic call answer! 34b, the communication system includes a setting circuit 34c, a start switch 34d, and a polling call setting circuit 34e. 35 is a switch for specifying polling call reception.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the invention configured as described above will be explained.

[1] First, the case of storing a manuscript will be explained.

After loading the original onto the DI table 7a of the original reading section 7, the original reading switch 15a is pressed. Control circuit 18
When the device detects that the document reading switch 15a is pressed, it starts the device in local mode, detects the presence or absence of a document in the document reading section 7, and starts reading the document if there is a document. Both signals are processed by the image signal processing section 8. The data is stored in the memory 10 via the storage/readout circuit 9. At this time, if there is already stored content in the memory 1o, new information is written and the previous content is erased. Furthermore, if necessary, the audio output from the talkie section 12 is also stored at the same time. When the reading of the original is completed, the control circuit 18 stops storing data in the memory 1o, and returns the apparatus to the standby state.

If there are a plurality of originals, control such as storing each page in the memory 1o is required, but this is omitted here.

[2] Next, the operation of checking the stored original will be explained.

When the confirmation switch 75b is pressed, the control circuit 18 starts the device in local mode and switches the switching circuit 14
is controlled to activate the storage/readout circuit 9 and the original output section 19 through a-1. When the manuscript output section 19 is ready, the control circuit 18 reads out the contents of the memory 10 through the memory Q reading circuit 9, and transmits the contents to the manuscript output section 19 through the switching circuit 14. It can be confirmed.

[3] Next, the operation when a polling call is received will be explained.

First, the caller uses the device a FB shown in FIG. 3 to designate polling and dial the number of the device FA. When the device FA receives a call, the device is activated by the operation of the automatic call response unit 6b of the network control unit 6 in FIG. The incoming call activation method can be easily realized, for example, by using the same method as the digital facsimile device provided in the INS model system. Control signals between the attached facsimile and the network are exchanged through signal channel D, so the incoming call type identification signal sent from the network is determined by the incoming call type identification circuit 17 and is determined to be a polling incoming call. In this case, the control circuit 18 performs the following control.

That is, the communication mode is set by negotiating with the partner device regarding communication speed, paper size, etc. For this procedure, a method implemented in existing facsimile machines may be applied.

Here, under the control of the control circuit 18, the switching circuit 14 switches between the memory write/read circuit 9 and the channel selection circuit 3.
1. Through the route b-1, the channel selection circuit 3 sets the route) b-1 and the received frame disassembly/transmission frame assembling unit 2 to be connected through route) e-1 using the information channel B1. has been done. As a result, the contents of the memory 10 are stored in the storage/readout circuit 9→(route a −1
)→switching circuit 14→(route b-1)→channel selection circuit 3→(route c-1), and is sent from the information channel B1 to the network side. The operation of the circuit blocks on the network side from the channel selection circuit 3 can also be easily realized, for example, by making them similar to the digital home equipment of the INS model system. After sending out the contents of the memory 1o, the control circuit 18 returns the device to the standby state.

[4] Next, a case will be described in which another polling call is received in the polling call reception state of [3] above.

As seen in the example of the INS modem system, in a digital network, a new call can be received through the information channel B2 even when the information channel B1 is in use. When there is an incoming call, the incoming call type identification circuit 17 determines whether it is a polling incoming call or not, as in [3] above, and if it is a polling incoming call, the control circuit 18 controls the channel selection circuit 3 to select an idle call. the information channel, in this case B2
The channel selection circuit 3 and the reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly section 2 are activated through route c-2. At the same time, the control circuit 18 controls the switching circuit 14 to connect the channel selection circuit 3 and the switching circuit 14 through the route b-2, and also connects the switching circuit 14 and the storage/reading circuit 9 through the route b-2.
a-2, respectively.

As a result, the contents of the memory 10 are changed from the storage/reading circuit 9 to (route 1-a-2) to the switching circuit 1 for the second incoming call.
4→(rou+−b−z>→channel selection circuit 3→(rou)c−2), and is delivered to the partner device through channel B2.

Here, since there is a time lag between the polling calls received through normal information channels B1 and B2, memory 1o
The start and end of reading must be managed and communicated for each channel. For this reason, there are two routes from the storage/readout circuit 9 to the channel selection circuit 3, and read instructions from the control circuit 18 to the storage/readout circuit 9 are always read from the beginning of the picture. and when multiple readings are performed at the same time (up to two in this case)
is designed to perform control for each reading unit.

[5] Next, a case will be described in which normal facsimile communication is performed with another subscriber in the polling incoming state of [3] above.

Set the original on the original reading section 7, and press the start switch 15f.
When is pressed, circuit blocks not related to polling reception are also activated, and the control circuit 18 controls the channel selection circuit 3 and the switching circuit 14, and the channel selection circuit 3 and the reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly section 2 are connected. In between, a path using information channel B2 is selected, and a connection between channel selection circuit 3 and document output section 19 and switching circuit 1 are established.
4 and the channel selection circuit 3 via route b-2, and the switching circuit 14 and both signal processing units 8 via route a-2.
Activate each connection by 3. Next, the net handling 'S part 6
Connection with the other party's device is made using the dial 6a inside. After connection, when sending a document, use it as a circuit block.
Original reading section 7 → Image signal processing section 8 → (Route) a-3) →
Switching circuit 14 → (route b-2) → channel selection circuit 3
→ (Lou) c-2) → Received frame disassembly φ Transmitted frame assembling section 2 → Transmission interface 1 and sent in this order,
When receiving a manuscript, the circuit blocks are transmission interface 1 → reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly section 2 → (rou 1-c-2) → channel selection circuit 3 → (rou) b-3) → manuscript output section 19 It is done through.

Accommodating multiple channels and using them simultaneously for polling calls and regular facsimile communications results in various simultaneous usage combinations.

That is, Case 1. Case 3: When a new polling call is received while a polling call is being received, Case 3: When a new polling call is received. Case 4: When making a normal facsimile call while receiving a polling call. Case 5: When a polling call is received during normal facsimile communication. Case 6: When a normal facsimile call is received during normal facsimile communication; Case 6: When a normal facsimile call is made during normal facsimile communication; For cases 5 and 6, the document reading section 7, document output Since two sets of each or one of the parts 19 are required, this cannot be realized with this apparatus.

When both information channels Bl and B2 are used, the network side can check as before, so the network side returns a heavy (communicating) message to the other party's device, but in cases 5 and 6 above, the network side can check It is difficult to understand. For this reason, in the present invention, in case 6, the alarm display section 21 displays to the operator that the alarm cannot be used, and in case 5 and when there is no stored content in the memory 10 due to the arrival of a polling call, , the connection failure display unit 22 is configured to use signal channel D to notify the partner device that communication is not possible.

Here, the control circuit 18 can be controlled by software using, for example, a microprocessor, and the control circuit 18 can be controlled by software such as [:3), [:4. FIG. 4 shows a detailed operational flow of the control circuit in the operations of ) and (5). FIG. 2 shows a case where two information channels, Bl and BP, are used. The digital network interface, which is scheduled to be recommended as an international standard by CCITT, is scheduled to have a speed of 64k b/s for each of Bl and B2, and using this speed, it is possible to reach the speed of an A4-sized document in a few seconds. , 64 kb/s channels, the probability of being unable to connect due to busyness is reduced even if this service is implemented.

Note that if the price of a 64 kb/s facsimile machine is high, the lower bit rate, i.e., the information channels B1, B2, can be further divided as follows (for example, 16 kb/s per channel x4). ,
Each divided channel is individually controlled on the exchange side (requiring support from the network side), and the facsimile apparatus is configured around the channel selection circuit 3 as shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 5, the channel selection circuit 3.9]
Switching circuit 14. Control circuit 18 (not shown).

Storage/reading circuit 9. The synchronous circuit 13 is similar to the circuit shown in FIG.
Divide into k b /s x 4, 16 k b /s
This is a channel division/multiplex circuit that multiplexes s x 4 to 64 kb/s and assigns a channel position number when divided, and also has 4 calls from the storage/readout circuit 9 to the channel division Q multiplex circuit 23. It has been divided into four routes to accommodate the following. Its operation is also similar to that described in FIG. In addition, although FIG. 5 shows the case where one 64 kb/s channel is divided into four, the other 64 kb/s channel may also be divided, or 64 kb/s channel may also be divided. k b/s to 8 k
Subdivision into b/s x 8 is also possible if there is support from one network. By doing as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to reduce the probability that a communication is in progress and to use a more economical low bit rate facsimile machine.

In addition, although the above has been shown for the case of digital facsimile, when applied to an analog network, information channel BI+
Bi', two lines are used instead of the transmission interface section 1. Reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly section 2. Channel selection circuit 3. The same effect can be achieved by changing the synchronization circuit 131, picture signal 9 processing section 89, picture signal decoding section 19b, and network control section 6 to those for analog networks.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in this invention, facsimile manuscripts are stored in advance in a storage circuit, multiple information paths for sending facsimile signals are accommodated, and the information paths are selectively used. With a ball with a low probability, it is possible to send a picture to an unspecified number of incoming calls, and it is also possible to perform normal facsimile communication while sending a picture, so even individuals can provide information services. and can provide the services described at the beginning.

Further, although the following explanation has been made regarding a facsimile machine, if voices or sounds are stored instead of "pictures", it is easy to realize a device for providing telephone services to individuals.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram when this service is performed using a facsimile device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile device having a polling incoming call specification function. 4 is an operation flowchart of the control circuit shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the main part of an embodiment in which one channel is divided and utilized. In the figure, 1 is a transmission interface section, 2 is a reception frame disassembly/transmission frame assembly section, 3 is a channel selection circuit, 4 is a communication function section, 5 is an error control section, 6 is a network control section, and 7
8 is a document reading section, 8 is both signal processing sections, 9 is a storage/readout circuit, 10 is a memory, 11 is a backup battery, 12
13 is a synchronous circuit, 14 is a switching circuit, 15 is a switch, 16 is a switch interface, 17 is an incoming call type identification circuit, 18 is a control circuit, 19 is a document output section, 2
0 is Tl! 21 is an alarm display section, 22 is a connection failure display section, and 234 is a channel division/multiplex circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a facsimile machine that accommodates a plurality of information paths, a storage circuit for storing an image signal, an incoming call type identification circuit for identifying whether an incoming call sends image information or an incoming call is received, and an information path selection circuit that selects the information path. a plurality of image signal transmission routes, a switching circuit for selecting the image signal transmission route, and a control circuit for controlling the storage circuit, the information path selection circuit, and the switching circuit; A facsimile device characterized in that it is configured to be capable of simultaneously transmitting an image signal stored in a circuit and transmitting and receiving an image signal for normal facsimile communication.