JPS63129737A - Communication interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a communication interface improving the flexibility in connecting a facsimile equipment by adopting the constitution such that a communication destination is converted into corresponding address information and a communication multiplexer is executed for a prescribed transmission control procedure. CONSTITUTION:A central processing unit 1 controls the entire communication interface device IF 1 and the executed processing program is stored in a ROM 2 and a work area is formed in a RAM 3. Moreover, a protocol data memory 4 stores procedure information in the transmission control procedure executed between a data terminal equipment and a communication multiplexer. The facsimile interface 5 is provided with a function required to give/receive a data with the facsimile equipment for analog line and the communication multiplexer interface 6 consists of the communication multiplexer and the digital interface circuit connected electrically and physically. A destination data memory 7 converts the destination designated from the facsimile equipment into address information set by the communication network to the said destination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a communication interface that connects a facsimile device for an analog line network to a communication multiplexing device that configures a communication network and switches a plurality of digital terminal devices and connects them to a communication line. Regarding equipment.

[Prior Art] For example, when configuring a communication network using multiple data terminal devices located in remote locations, one communication multiplexing device is located in each region, and multiple data terminal devices located in each region are configured. Data terminal devices are connected to the communication multiplexing device, and the respective communication multiplexing devices are connected to each other to reduce the number of lines connecting remote locations and improve economic efficiency.

In recent years, there has been a demand for facsimile machines to be connected to this communication network, but generally popular facsimile machines are for telephone line networks and cannot be directly connected to the communication network.

Therefore, conventionally, a facsimile machine is provided with an electrical interface means for connecting to a communication multiplexer, and a function for executing a transmission control procedure with one communication multiplexer is added.

However, with this conventional method, existing facsimile machines cannot be used as is, resulting in an inconvenience of increased costs. In addition, when the functions of the communication multiplexing device used in the communication network change, such as when the functions of the communication network are updated, the information used in the transmission control procedure with the new communication multiplexing device changes. In such a case, it is necessary to replace the built-in functions, which is inconvenient and requires time and cost.

[Objective] The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication interface device that can improve flexibility when connecting a facsimile device to a single communication multiplexing device. There is.

[Configuration] In order to achieve this object, the present invention includes a digital interface means for connecting to a communication multiplexing device, and a means for connecting to a facsimile machine to execute a predetermined transmission control procedure and converting transmitted and received signals into digital data. facsimile interface means for mutual conversion; address information storage means for storing address information set in the communication network for the communication destination notified from the facsimile device; and information on transmission control procedures with the communication multiplexing device. The transmission control procedure information storage means converts a communication destination notified from the facsimile machine into corresponding address information based on the storage contents of the address information storage means, and also converts the communication destination based on the storage contents of the transmission control procedure information storage means. Executes predetermined transmission control procedures with the multiplexer.

Furthermore, the transmission control procedure information storage means is constructed from a rewritable storage device, so that it can cope with changes in the functions of the communication multiplexing device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This communication network consists of two communication multiplexers MPX
It is constructed by installing a pair of dedicated data lines LN for high-speed data transmission between I and MPX2.

Communication multiplexing bag [MPXl includes m data terminal devices D
T11 to DT1 are connected, and the facsimile device FXI is connected via the communication interface device IFI, and the communication multiplexing bag [MPXl selectively connects one of these devices to the data dedicated line LN. Connecting. .

Furthermore, n data terminal devices DT21 to DT2n are connected to the communication multiplexer MPX2.

Facsimile device FX2 is communication interface device I
It is connected via F2, and the communication multiplexer MPX2
selectively connects one of these devices to the data dedicated line LN.

For example, data terminal device DTII is data terminal device DT
21, first, the data terminal device D
The TII notifies the communication multiplexing device MPXI of the call request, and when the request is accepted by the communication multiplexing device MPXI, the TII sends the address information set in the communication network to the destination data terminal device DT21. Notice.

As a result, the communication multiplexer MPXI notifies the single communication multiplexer MPX2 that there is a call request to the data terminal bag WDT21. Thereby, the communication multiplexer MPX2 calls the data terminal device 11DT21.

When the data terminal DT21 receives a call, it notifies the communication multiplexer MPXI of this fact. As a result, the communication multiplexer MPXI notifies the data terminal device DTII that a call has arrived at the data terminal device DT21, and from then on, the data terminal device DTII and the data terminal device DT2
1 are interconnected to perform data transmission between them.

Also, when the data transmission is finished, the data terminal device D
T11 notifies the communication multiplexing bag [MPXl that the data transmission has been completed, and thereby sends the communication multiplexing device MPX
I terminates the data transmission to the data terminal DTII. At the same time, the communication multiplexer MPXI notifies the communication multiplexer MPX2 that the transmission has ended.

In this way, data transmission between the data terminal device DT11 and the data terminal device DT21 is performed.

However, data terminal bag [DTll and data terminal device DT]
After the data terminal devices DT11 are connected to each other, the data terminal devices DT11
Data is transmitted between the DT 21 and the data terminal bag [DT21].

Now, the communication multiplexing devices MPXI and PI3 that constitute such a communication network are generally connected to a data terminal device via a digital interface circuit. This digital interface circuit is 1
For example, CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) Recommendation v, 24 is used.

Therefore, 1 communication interface device IFI (IF2)
is constructed as shown in FIG.

In the figure, a central processing unit l controls the entire communication interface device IFI, and the processing program executed by it is stored in a ROM (read-only).
A work area is formed in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3.

Further, the protocol data memory 4 is for storing procedure information in a transmission control procedure executed between a data terminal device and a communication multiplexing device, and is a data-rewritable nonvolatile storage device, such as an EEFROM ( It consists of electrically erasable programmable ROM).

The facsimile interface 5 has functions necessary for exchanging data with the analog line facsimile machine FXI. Namely.

This facsimile interface 5 includes a line simulator, modem,
and a transmission control device for executing transmission procedures. Further, the communication multiplexer interface 6 is composed of a digital interface circuit for electrically and physically connecting to the communication multiplexer MPXI.

The destination data memory 7 is for converting the destination specified by the facsimile machine FXI into address information set for the destination in the communication network, and the keyboard 8 and screen display device 9 are for converting the destination specified by the facsimile machine FXI into address information set for the destination in the communication network.

This is for operating this communication interface device IFI.

When using this communication interface device IFI, first, an operator interactively executes a transmission control procedure with the communication multiplexer MPXI using the keyboard 8 and the screen display device 19. The series of information exchanged at that time is temporarily stored in the RAM 3 as protocol data, and then when the operator completes the interactive transmission control procedure, the protocol data is stored in the protocol data memory 4.

Here, basic formats are set for the transmission and control procedures between the communication multiplexing device and the data terminal device, that is, the procedures for making one call, receiving a call, and terminating a call.
The protocol data used in these procedures differs depending on each model.

Therefore, in this case, by storing the protocol data used in those procedures, it is possible to transmit data using the communication multiplexing device, and by changing the protocol data, it is possible to transmit data using the communication multiplexing device. This communication interface device I is attached to the communication multiplexing device.
FI can be applied. Further, since the transmission control procedure with the communication multiplexing device can be executed by trial and error, even if the protocol data used in one communication multiplexing device is not specified, the protocol data can be appropriately set.

Then, the operator uses the keyboard 8 and screen display device 9 to select the facsimile machine! Address information corresponding to the destination information set in the FXI is input and stored in the destination data memory 7.

In this case, the possible destination is facsimile machine F.
Since there is only FX2, the destination data memory 7 stores only data related to the facsimile family [FX2]. However, since it is the communication interface device IF2 that is directly connected to the communication multiplexer MPX2, the address information assigned to the communication interface device IF2 in this communication network is actually stored. Note that the same applies to the facsimile machine FXI.

In this way, the protocol data for the transmission control procedure with the communication multiplexing bag 91MPX1 is stored in the protocol data memory 4.
When address information corresponding to the destination information is stored in the destination data memory 7, the communication interface device IFI becomes operational.

Now, facsimile machine FXI is facsimile machine FX
When transmitting image information to 2, first, fax! i
! FXI executes a series of calling operations to the communication interface device IFI and calls the facsimile device! A selection signal (for example, a pushbutton signal or a dial pulse signal) is output that indicates the destination information set in FX2.

The line simulation function of the facsimile interface 5 responds to the calling operation of the facsimile group [FXl, and thereby the facsimile device FXI
can exchange the same signals as when connected to an analog line. The content of the selection signal notified from the facsimile device FXI at that time is identified by the single-line simulation function, thereby determining the destination specified by the facsimile device 1FX1.

Next, the communication interface IFI sequentially applies the call procedure data stored in the protocol data memory 4 to request the communication multiplexer iMPX1 to make a call, and also notifies the communication multiplexer iMPX1 of the address information of the destination.

As a result, the communication multiplexing device MPXI notifies the single communication multiplexing device MPX2 that there is a call request to the facsimile device FX2 (actually, the communication interface device IF2). As a result, communication multiplexer MPX2
calls the communication interface device IF2.

In this way, when a call is made from the communication multiplexer MPX2, the communication interface device IF2 uses the facsimile interface 5 to transmit the call to the facsimile device FX2.
When the facsimile device FX2 receives the call normally, it notifies the communication multiplexer 1MPX2 of the incoming call.

As a result, the communication multiplexer PX2 notifies the communication multiplexer MP that the communication interface device IF2 has received a call.
Notify XI. As a result, 5 communications multiplexers MPX
I notifies the 9 communication interface device IFI that the communication interface device IF2 has received a call, and as a result, a data transmission path is established between the communication interface device IFI and the communication interface IF2.

Once the data transmission path is established between the communication interface device IFI and the communication interface IF2 in this way, the facsimile device FXI and the facsimile device! Data transmission is arbitrarily performed between FX2.

In that case, the data output from the facsimile group [FXl is received by the communication interface device IFI via the facsimile interface 5 and temporarily stored in the RAM 3, and the data stored in the RAM 3 is sent to the communication multiplexing device interface 6. Communication via multiplexer M
Output to PXI sequentially.

Then, from the communication multiplexer MPXI to the communication multiplexer M
The data transmitted to PX2 is transferred to communication interface I.
RA via communication multiplexer interface 6 of F2
The data once stored in M3 and stored in RAM 3 is sequentially output to facsimile device FX2 via facsimile interface 5.

Also, the facsimile tribe! ! From FX2 to facsimile group [
Data transmitted to FX1 is transmitted in the reverse order as described above.

By exchanging data between the facsimile apparatus FXI and the facsimile apparatus FX2, a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure is executed, and one-stroke information is transmitted.

Facsimile tribe! When the image information transmission from FXI and facsimile device FX2 is completed, the facsimile group [FXl
executes processing for disconnecting the line to the facsimile interface 5. Thereby, the communication interface device IFI notifies the communication multiplexer MPXI that data transmission is to be terminated, and sets the line to a disconnected state.

This completes data transmission between communication multiplexer MPXI and communication multiplexer MPX2.

In this way, image information transmission is performed between facsimile device FXI and facsimile device FX2.

By the way, the present invention can be similarly applied to a device that executes data error detection and recovery processing between a communication multiplexing device and a data terminal device. Further, the present invention can also be applied when using a communication multiplexing device equipped with other functions.

Further, the present invention can also be applied to communication networks other than the simple communication network as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, the communication interface device may have a gateway function to the public telephone line network.

[Effects] As explained above, according to the present invention, a digital interface means for connecting to a communication multiplexing device and a facsimile device are connected to execute a predetermined transmission control procedure and convert transmitted and received signals into digital data. facsimile interface means for mutual conversion; address information storage means for storing address information set in the communication network for the communication destination notified from the facsimile device; and information on transmission control procedures with the communication multiplexing device. The transmission control procedure information storage means converts a communication destination notified from the facsimile machine into corresponding address information based on the storage contents of the address information storage means, and also converts the communication destination based on the storage contents of the transmission control procedure information storage means. Since a predetermined transmission control procedure is executed with the multiplexer, there is an advantage that flexibility can be improved when connecting the facsimile device to the communication multiplexer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a communication interface device. IFI, IF2...communication interface device, 1.
... central processing unit, 2 ... ROM (read only memory), 3 ... RAM (random access memory). 4... Protocol data memory, 5... Facsimile interface, 6... Communication multiplexer interface, 7... Destination data memory, 8... Keyboard, 9... Screen display device.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a communication interface device that connects a facsimile device for an analog line network to a communication multiplexing device that configures a communication network and switches multiple digital terminal devices and connects them to the communication line, for connecting to the communication multiplexing device. digital interface means, facsimile interface means connected to the facsimile machine to execute predetermined transmission control procedures and mutually convert transmitted and received signals into digital data; address information storage means for storing address information set in the network; and transmission control procedure information storage means for storing transmission control procedure information with the communication multiplexing device; converts the communication destination notified from the facsimile device into corresponding address information, and executes a predetermined transmission control procedure with the communication multiplexing device based on the stored contents of the transmission control procedure information storage means. communication interface device. (2) A communication interface device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control procedure information storage means is comprised of a rewritable storage device.