JPS6356057A - Facsimile response equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To receive control information of a microprocessor at a remote location by providing an identification means for the presence of the diagnostic mode, a setting means for the presence of the diagnostic mode and a sending means sending contents of a memory in a control information storage area of a specific microprocessor as a picture signal. CONSTITUTION:The presence of the diagnostic mode assigned in one bit of an expanded field of a FIF (facsimile information field) of a received DIS (digital identification signal) is identified (1) according to the control procedure of the binary code signal system in accordance with the CCITT recommendations T.4, the presence of the diagnostic mode is set (2) to one bit of the expanded field of the FIF of a response signal BCS (digital instruction signal), and contents of the memory in a control information storage area of the specific microprocessor are sent to a facsimile terminal equipment 4 without modification as a picture signal. Since the control information of the microprocessor representing the operating state of the equipment is received by the facsimile terminal 4 at a remote location, it is not required for the maintenance personnel to visit the place locating the equipment for the purpose.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile response device that converts a message received from a host computer into a facsimile signal and outputs it to a facsimile terminal, and particularly relates to a facsimile response device that converts a message received from a host computer into a facsimile signal and outputs it to a facsimile terminal. The invention relates to a facsimile answering machine whose faults are diagnosed.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of facsimile answering device) is connected to a host computer via a high-speed communication line and to a facsimile terminal via a telephone network. In this case, facsimile answering devices are usually installed in scattered locations.

In addition, in order to realize complex functions, most facsimile answering devices are configured with firmware using a microprocessor, and it is essential to read the contents into control memory in order to know the operating status of the firmware for fault diagnosis. It is. Therefore, if a facsimile answering device malfunctions, a maintenance person will go to the location where the device is installed and
Furthermore, in order to investigate the cause of the failure, it was necessary to bring equipment for analyzing firmware operation.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the above-described conventional apparatus, when the facsimile answering apparatus malfunctions, a maintenance person must go to the installation location of the apparatus, so there is a problem in that it takes a great deal of time and money to investigate the cause of the failure.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve such problems, the present invention provides PIF of DIS received when communicating with a facsimile terminal.
An identification means for identifying the presence or absence of a diagnostic mode assigned to 1 bit of the extended field of the CCITT Recommendation T. The apparatus includes a setting means for setting whether or not a diagnostic mode is present in one bit of an extension field of the PIF, and a transmitting means for transmitting the memory contents of a control information storage area of a specific microprocessor as an image signal to a facsimile terminal as is. It was designed to be provided.

[Effect]

In the present invention, microprocessor control information representing the operational status of the facsimile answering device can be received at a remote location.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a functional block system diagram functionally showing an overview of an embodiment of a facsimile answering device according to the present invention.

In Fig. 1, 1 is a DIS (digital identification signal) received when communicating with a facsimile terminal.
talIdentification Signal
FIF (Facsimile Information Field, Facsimile Informatron F)
Identification means for identifying the presence or absence of a diagnostic mode assigned to 1 bit of the extension field of the CCITT Recommendation T, 4 in accordance with the binary code signaling control procedure; (Digital command signal
3 is a transmitter for transmitting the memory contents of the control information storage area of a specific microprocessor as an image signal to the facsimile terminal 4 as is. It is a means.

FIG. 2 is a block system diagram specifically showing the apparatus of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, T1 is an input terminal, 5 is an interface circuit with the host computer, and 6 is an identification means 1.
7 is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM") in which a microprogram is written, and 8 is a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as rRAMJ) for storing control data and image signals of the microprocessor 6. ), 9 is an image signal conversion circuit,
10 is a bus, lla to lid are modem control circuits, 12a
~12d is CCITT Recommendation V21. V29. v2
The facsimile signal modems 7t, . . . Ta to Td are output terminals. The modem control circuits 11a to 11d and the modems 12a to 12d constitute a transmitting means 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this device.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained using FIGS. 2 and 3. The microprocessor 6 reads the microprogram from the ROM 7 and controls the operations of each section as shown below.

First, in step 21 of FIG. 3, a message created by the host computer is stored in the RAM 8 via the input terminal T1 and the interface circuit 2 with the host computer. Next, in step 22, the message is sequentially read into the image signal conversion circuit 9, converted into a facsimile signal (for example, a modified Huffman code), and stored in the RAM 8 again.

Thereafter, as shown in step 23, the microprocessor 6 instructs the modem control circuits 113-lid to start communication with the facsimile terminal. First of all, step 2
4, the modem control circuits 112 to lid receive the DIS from the facsimile terminal and notify the microprocessor 6 of the signal. In step 25, the microprocessor 6 analyzes the PIF of the DIS, checks the functions of the facsimile terminal, sets the function selected from the functions to the PIF of the DCS, and controls the modem control circuit 11.
Instructs a to lid to send. At this time, step 26
In this step, it is determined whether or not there is a diagnostic mode assigned to one bit of the extension field of the DIS PIF. The presence or absence of the diagnosis mode is set by a maintenance person at the facsimile terminal depending on whether diagnosis is necessary.

If the diagnostic mode exists, as shown in step 27, set the diagnostic mode in the 1-bit extension field of the PIF of the DCS, and then, as shown in step 28, set the image signal to be transmitted. Memory contents. If there is no diagnostic mode, as shown in step 29, the DCS PI
One bit of the extension field of F is set to indicate no diagnostic mode, and then, as shown in step 30, the image signal to be transmitted is set as a converted image signal.

Next, in step 31, the microprocessor 6 instructs the modem control circuits 11a-lid to train the modem. The modem control circuits 11a to 11d complete the modem training and transmit the CFR from the facsimile terminal.
(Reception readiness confirmation signal.

Confirmation to Receive), the microprocessor 6 is notified of the signal.

Next, in step 32, the microprocessor 6 instructs to send out the image signal, but if it is notified by Dis that there is no diagnostic mode, the facsimile image signal converted into an image signal is sent from the RAM 5 to the modem control circuits 11a to 11a.
d to the facsimile terminal. On the other hand, if it has received a notification that the diagnostic mode is available, it instructs to output the contents of the RAM 5, which is the control information storage area of the specific microprocessor 6, instead of the facsimile image signal.

After sending out the image signal, in step 33, the microprocessor 6 controls the modem control circuits 11a to 11d.
EOP (end of procedure signal, Endof Pro
When sending or transmitting cedures), use E○M(
Message end signal, End of Message
) or MPS (?multipage signal, Multipag
e Signal).

Next, in step 34, the modem control circuits 11a-l
ID is sent from the facsimile terminal by MCF (Message confirmation signal, Messa (He Confirmation signal)
n) and notifies the microbrosé nosa 6 of the signal. If the microprocessor 6 has transmitted the EOP, it terminates the communication by sending a DCN (disconnect command signal, Disconnect), as shown in step 35.
The modem control circuit 112 to lid is instructed to send the message, and the communication is terminated. In other cases, repeat the above steps and
Sends the next message.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention identifies the presence or absence of a diagnostic mode assigned to one bit of the extended field of the PIF of the DIS in accordance with the control procedure of binary code signal method 2 of CCITT Recommendation T, 4. When detected, the presence or absence of diagnostic mode is set in 1 bit of the extended field of the FIF of the DCS of the response signal, and the specific microprocessor is controlled. ■The memory contents of the information storage area are sent as image signals to the facsimile terminal as they are. By transmitting microprocessor control information that represents the operating status of the device, it is possible to receive it at a facsimile terminal in a remote location, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to go to the trouble of visiting devices that are scattered around, and in the event of a malfunction. This has the effect of enabling quick failure analysis and recovery. Additionally, installing equipment such as automatic analysis equipment has the effect of making unattended maintenance and centralized management of the equipment possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a functional block system diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of a facsimile answering device according to the present invention in v1 functionality, FIG. 2 is a block system diagram specifically showing the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5... Interface circuit, 6... Microprocessor, 7... ROM, 8... RAM, 9... Image signal conversion circuit, 10... Bus, lla-lid... Modem control circuit , 12a to 12d...modem for facsimile signals, T1...input terminal, TaxTd...output terminal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A microprocessor that controls the entire device, a read-only memory that stores programs, a random access memory that stores control data and image signals, an image signal conversion circuit that converts data received from the host computer into facsimile signals, and a facsimile It has a facsimile signal modem for sending out signals, a modem control circuit for controlling the facsimile signal modem, an interface circuit for interfacing with the host computer, and a bus for connecting each component. In a facsimile answering device that converts the facsimile signal into a facsimile signal and outputs this facsimile signal to the facsimile terminal via the telephone network, the diagnostic mode assigned to one bit of the extended field of the FIF of the DIS received when communicating with the facsimile terminal. an identification means for identifying the presence or absence of the diagnostic mode in accordance with the control procedure of the binary code signaling system of CCITT Recommendations T and 4; 1. A facsimile response device comprising: a setting means for transmitting a memory content of a control information storage area of a specific microprocessor as an image signal to a facsimile terminal.