JPS63127655A - Adaptor for facsimile printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use an existing facsimile equipment as a hard copy output device in common by providing a picture signal conversion circuit converting a picture signal from a hard copy information source into the facsimile signal form of a facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION:When a control section 25 receives an input signal from a hard copy information source, that is, a page signal PAGE, a reception start signal generating circuit 11 outputs a call signal RV to a line control circuit 14. Then the control section 25 outputs a request signal REQ requesting the transfer of a picture signal to a hard copy information source via an output terminal 27. The hard copy information source outputs a picture signal Pix in the unit of lines in response to the request signal REQ. A picture signal conversion circuit 12 converts the inputted picture signal Pix into a picture signal CPix in the signal form to be sent to a facsimile FAX and outputs the converted picture signal Cpix to the line control circuit 14. Thus, the signal is recorded by the facsimile equipment FAX.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile printer adapter suitable for use when a conventionally known general facsimile machine is directly used as a hard copy output device.

2. Description of the Related Art A conventionally known general facsimile machine has a general structure as shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 2, ■ is a line switching device, 2 is a modem section, 3 is a signal processing section, 4 is a recording section, 5 is a control section for controlling each section 1 to 4, and 6 is a telephone connection terminal. , 7 are line connection terminals.

The line switching device 1 normally has contacts C and a connected as shown in the figure, and the line is connected to terminals 7. It is connected to a telephone (not shown) via contacts c and a and terminal 6.

Further, in the case of facsimile reception, the line switching device 1 is connected between the contact point C and the contact point C, and the line is connected to the modem section 2.

Now, the operation when receiving a facsimile will be explained. A facsimile signal arriving from the line is demodulated by the modem section 2 and input to the signal processing section 3. The signal processing section 3 converts the input facsimile signal into an original image signal and transfers it to the recording section 4. The recording unit 4 outputs the image signal as a hard copy.

Such a facsimile device can also be used as a hard copy output device. As a means for this purpose, the conventional facsimile IJ device shown in FIG. 2 was modified to have the configuration shown in FIG. 3. That is, in FIG. 3, the same parts as in FIG. The new modification is that a signal switching section 8 is provided between the signal processing section 3 and the recording section 4, and a hard copy image signal input terminal 9 is provided on the signal switching section 8.

In the facsimile machine shown in FIG.
During normal facsimile reception, the signal switching unit 8 controls the output image signal of the signal processing unit 3 to be input to the recording unit 4, and when operating as a hard copy output device, the hard copy image signal A signal switching section 8 is configured so that the input image signal from the input terminal 9 is transferred to the recording section 4.
control.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention As described above, in order for a conventionally known general facsimile machine to be able to double as a hard copy output device, a conventional facsimile machine has been equipped with a 3
There is a problem in that it is necessary to make modifications as shown in the figure, and it is virtually impossible for general users to make such modifications.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and
An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile printer adapter that allows the device to be used as a hard copy output device by simply connecting it to an existing facsimile device without making any changes to the device. There is a particular thing.

Means for Solving the Problem The technical means of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object includes a reception activation signal generation circuit for generating a facsimile reception activation signal, and a facsimile reception activation signal generation circuit for generating an image signal from a hard copy information source. An image signal conversion circuit for converting into a signal format,
A line control circuit for transferring the output signals of the two circuits to the facsimile machine or processing input signals from the facsimile machine, and a line control circuit for switching the signal path between the line control circuit and the facsimile machine or between the line and the facsimile machine. The circuit includes a signal switching circuit, and a control section that controls each of the circuits as a whole.

action The effects of the above technical means are as follows.

That is, the image signal conversion circuit side is connected to the Tocobee information source, and the signal switching circuit side is connected to an existing facsimile device, line, etc.

When using the existing facsimile device as a Tokobi output device, the signal switching circuit disconnects the signal path between the line and the facsimile based on the control of the control unit, and connects the signal path between the facsimile and the line control circuit. switching,
This is made possible by transferring the image signal of the hard copy information source converted into a facsimile signal format from the line control circuit to the facsimile.

In addition, when returning from a hard copy output device to an existing facsimile device, the control unit detects the transfer of all image signals from the hard copy information source, and the signal switching circuit switches between the line and facsimile based on instructions from the control unit. This is done by switching the signal path to

As a result, the facsimile device can also be used as a hard copy output device without making any modifications to the existing 7Axis + 7 device.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile 1.1 printer adapter according to the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a reception activation signal generation circuit, and this signal generation circuit 11 generates a signal (hereinafter referred to as a calling signal RV) for prompting a facsimile FAX (an existing facsimile machine) which is also used as a hard copy output device to activate facsimile reception. ).

Reference numeral 12 denotes an image signal conversion circuit, and this conversion circuit 12 is connected to an image signal input terminal 13 for inputting an image signal Pix from a hard copy information source (not shown). The input image signal Pix is sent to the facsimile F.
It has a function of converting into a signal format (for example, encoding) that can be transmitted to AX.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a line control circuit, and this control circuit 14 receives the output signal (calling signal R) of the reception activation signal generation circuit 11 and the output signal (converted image signal C) of the image signal conversion circuit 12.
Pix) to a facsimile FAX, or process input signals input from a facsimile FAX (for example, a model identification signal, etc.).

15 is a plurality of switches (
In this embodiment, the signal switching circuit has contacts a = f), the contact d of this switching circuit 15 is connected to the supplementary line control circuit 14, the contact C is connected to the line connection terminal 16, and the contacts a, e is connected to the telephone connection terminal 17, the contact point S is connected to the first connection terminal 18, and the contact point f is connected to the second connection terminal 19. The first connection terminal 18 is for facsimile! The second connection terminal 19 is used to connect the JFAX line connection terminal silver, and the second connection terminal 19 is used to connect the facsimile FAX telephone connection terminal 21, respectively. Note that n is a facsimile FAX line switch (contact gr) 1+1), and B is a facsimile FAX modem section.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a line use detection circuit, and this detection circuit 24 has a function of detecting whether or not a facsimile FAX is in communication through line K.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire circuits 11, 12, 14, 15, and 24, and this control unit 5 receives a signal ( A page signal input terminal 26 for inputting a page signal PAGE (hereinafter referred to as a page signal PAGE), and a control unit 5
and an output terminal n for outputting a request signal REQ requesting the transfer of an image signal from the hard copy information source to the page signal input terminal 26.
A hard copy information source (not shown) such as a scanner is connected via the image signal input terminal 13.

The line connection terminal 1 connected to the signal switching circuit 15
A line K is connected to 6, a telephone T is connected to the telephone connection terminal 17, and a facsimile FAX line connection terminal silver and a telephone connection terminal 21 are connected to the first and second connection terminals 18 and 19, respectively. .

The operation of the facsimile printer adapter constructed as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, in the initial state, as shown in the figure, the contacts C and b and the contacts e and f are connected, and the contacts d and b are disconnected. Therefore, when viewed from the facsimile/FAX side, the telephone T is connected to the terminal 17 of the signal switching circuit 15, and the line K is connected to the line connection terminal of the FACTOR IFAX, making it possible to use it as a normal facsimile. be. This state is maintained until a page signal PAGE from a hard copy information source (not shown) is input.

Next, when the control unit 5 receives an input signal from the hard copy information source, that is, a page signal PAGE, the control unit 5 detects whether or not the facsimile is communicating through the line K by sending an output signal for each line use detection circuit. Judgment will be based on BSY.

Here, the control unit δ determines that the facsimile FAX is in communication through the line K when the output signal BSY is on, and determines that the facsimile is not in communication when the output signal BSY is off. .

Note that the output signal BSY is turned on and off when, for example, during communication, the line switch Z of the facsimile FAX is in a state where its contacts i and h are connected, and the signal switch circuit 15
Since the line connecting the contact f and the second connection terminal 19 is disconnected from the line K, its potential is the same when communication is not in progress, that is, when contacts i and g of the line switch B of the facsimile IJFAX are connected. Since it changes for the case where
It can be determined based on the potential change.

Next, the control unit 5 controls the signal switching circuit 15 via the control signal SEL after the output signal BSY is turned off when it is on, or immediately when the output signal BSY is off, and switches its contact. e.

At the same time as disconnecting f, connect contacts B and c and contacts d and b.

Next, the control section turns on the control signal ST to start up the line control circuit 14, and then turns on the control signal RVST to start up the reception start signal generation circuit 11.

As a result, the reception activation signal generation circuit 11 generates the calling signal R.
V is output to the line control circuit 14. Line control circuit], 1
connects the call signal RV to contacts d and b of the signal switching circuit 15.
The data is then transferred to a facsimile via the first connection terminal 18.

Thereafter, the line control circuit 14 sends the facsimile 1) via the same signal path (signal switching circuit 15 and first connection terminal 18).
It exchanges signals with the fax machine, performs processing such as recognition of the other party's model (facsimile fax) and phase alignment, and outputs the signal RDY (turns on) when the image signal can be transferred to the fax machine. ) and notifies the control unit 5 of this fact.

Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 5 outputs a signal C8T to the image signal conversion circuit 12 to activate the image signal conversion circuit 12 and convert the image signal from the hard copy information source (not shown). make it possible to do it.

Next, the control section 5 outputs a request signal REQ requesting transfer of the image signal to the . . . -tocobee information source via the output terminal section.

The hardcopy information source, in response to its request signal REQ,
The image signal Pix is output line by line.

The image signal Pix is input to the image signal conversion circuit 12 via the image signal input terminal 13.

The image signal conversion circuit 12 converts the input image signal Pix into an image signal CPix in a signal format that can be transmitted to a facsimile FAX, and outputs the converted image signal CPix to the line control circuit 14.

The line control circuit 14 transfers the image signal CPix to the facsimile FAX via contacts d and b of the signal switching circuit 15 and the first connection terminal 18.

The facsimile FAX inputs the image signal CPix from the line connection terminal to the modem section % via the contact 11h of the line switch reed, and converts the image signal CPix by conventionally known means.
ix recording (hard copy).

At this time, the line control circuit 14 turns off the signal RDY to the control unit 5 during the transfer of one line of the image signal (:pix) to the facsimile FAX, and When the transfer of CPix to the facsimile is completed, the signal RDY is turned on.

The control unit 5 waits for the signal RDY to turn on from off, and when the signal RDY turns on, it again outputs the next line image signal request signal REQ to the hard copy information source via the output terminal n. .

In response to this, the image signal Pix for the next one line is again input to the image signal conversion circuit 12, and the above-described operation is performed.

The above operations are repeated while the page signal PAGE is input from the hard copy information source via the page signal input terminal 26.

As a result, the full-image signal input from the hard copy information source is recorded by the facsimile machine (an existing facsimile machine).

Note that during recording, the contact e of the signal switching circuit 15
, f are disconnected, and contacts a and c are connected, so telephone T is connected to line K and can be used as a normal telephone.

Still, the page signal P input from the hardcopy information source
When AGE is turned off, the control unit 5 switches each circuit 11, 12.1
4.15 to return the current state to the initial state described above. As a result, the facsimile machine that was being used as the Tocobee output device in step 1 now operates as a normal facsimile machine.

Note that the image signal input from the hard copy information source is not limited to a pattern-based image signal, but may also be an image signal such as a coded character code. However, in that case, it is necessary to provide a pattern generator that performs code-pattern conversion.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, the adapter of the present invention has the following effects:
a reception activation signal generation circuit that generates a reception activation signal for an existing facsimile machine based on activation information from a hard copy information source; and an image signal generation circuit that converts an image signal from the hard copy information source into a facsimile signal format of the facsimile apparatus. a signal conversion circuit; and a line control circuit that controls the transfer of output signals from both circuits to the facsimile machine and processes input signals from the facsimile machine;
The adapter of the present invention includes the line control circuit, a signal switching circuit that switches the signal path between the facsimile machine and the line, and a control section that controls each of the circuits as a whole. By simply connecting the fax machine between an existing facsimile machine and a hardcopy information source, signal format matching and signal path switching are performed, and the existing facsimile machine can be easily connected to the existing facsimile machine without making any changes to the existing facsimile machine. This has the effect that the device can also be used as a tocobee output device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a facsimile printer adapter according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an existing general facsimile machine, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile device having a hard copy output function. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Reception start signal generation circuit, 12... Image signal conversion circuit, 13... Image signal input terminal, 14... Line control circuit, 15... Signal switching circuit, 16... Line connection Terminal, 17...Telephone connection terminal, 18...First connection terminal to facsimile, 19...Second connection terminal to facsimile, 5...Control unit, 26...Page signal input terminal, Moss... Image signal request signal output terminal, K...
line, T...telephone, FAX...facsimile (
existing facsimile equipment).

Claims (1)

[Claims] a reception activation signal generation circuit that generates a reception activation signal for an existing facsimile machine based on activation information from a hard copy information source; and an image signal that converts an image signal from the hard copy information source into a facsimile signal format of the facsimile apparatus. a conversion circuit, a line control circuit that controls the transfer of output signals from both circuits to the facsimile machine and processes input signals from the facsimile machine, and a signal path between the line control circuit, the facsimile machine, the line, etc. 1. A facsimile printer adapter comprising: a signal switching circuit for switching; and a control section for controlling each of the circuits as a whole.