JPH0215768A - facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control the operations of simultaneously produced two image communication so that the communication efficiency can be improved by providing an image transmission controlling section which independently executes two facsimile procedures and an image file section which can simultaneously execute a writing and reading out operations. CONSTITUTION:When requests are made to simultaneously make image communication, a 1st circuit 8a or 2nd circuit 8b is independently operated by using a network controlling section 11 or 12. Then an image file section 7 performs an image information writing or reading out operation. When an image scanner section 9 or image printer section 10 is appropriately actuated in addition to the above, fully dual operations of image communication can be realized in different directions irrespective of the transmission or reception. When, for example, image information is received while another image information is transmitted by actuating the image scanner section 9, an main image controlling section 5 causes the received image information to be recorded by the image printer section 10 or to be written in the image file section 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile procedure connected to a TSDN (integrated services digital network).

(Prior Art) In general, facsimile machines connected to public telephone lines or DDX1 lines only perform so-called half-second mIIJ operations, in which voice communication and image communication are performed only or alternately. Not yet.

This is because each of the above lines basically has a bandwidth for one channel of information, and if you try to use this bandwidth to simultaneously transmit audio information and image information, the information will deteriorate and the transmission speed will decrease. This is a measure taken to avoid a decline in service quality due to such factors.

On the other hand, as l5DN is put into practical use today, this [S
Embodiments of unique communication services are also being established in 7 kushimi devices (connected to DN).

As is well known, 15DN is a digital integrated network that handles services such as telephone, telex, and facsimile equipment in an integrated manner, and has a plurality of information channels.

Therefore, by using the two vacant information channels in this 15DN, it is possible to simultaneously transmit voice information and image information.

However, although the hook-up device connected to this 15DN can perform voice communication and image communication at the same time, it does not have the configuration d6 and control system that allow it to perform image communication and image communication at the same time. There wasn't.

This means that, for example, while image information is being received through the first information channel in the ISDN (image printer is in operation), there is an incoming call through the second information channel, and this is a request to receive the image information. In this case, since the image printer is in operation, the only response to the request to receive this new image information is to return a heavy buzzing sound from the other party's terminal, and the call from the other party's terminal is wasted. It had to become something.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, the second fI is transmitted during image communication using the first information channel.
When a request for image communication occurs through the 4-way P channel, the system can only operate to reject the newly generated request for image communication, resulting in a problem in that communication efficiency inevitably decreases. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances.
Even if a request for image communication occurs through the second information channel while image communication is being executed through the second information channel, this newly generated request can be accepted, and full-duplex communication in different directions regarding image communication can be performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device that can improve communication efficiency by performing the following steps.

(Structure of the Invention) (1,000 Fj for Solving the Problems) The facsimile apparatus of the present invention has two network control units that operate independently, and the operation of the network control unit is transmitted between two network control units in one integrated digital service line. A network interface unit that allocates to one information channel, a voice main control unit that controls the operation of the communication circuit related to voice communication, an image transmission control unit that independently executes two facsimile procedures, and a read-out operation and a read-out operation at the same time. an executable image file section, an image scanner section that reads image information, an image printer section that records image information, and a When a request for image communication occurs through the second information channel, the image transmission control unit, the image file unit, and the image transmission control unit, the image file unit, and the image communication It is configured to include an image main control section that controls each operation of the scanner section and the image printer section.

(Function) The facsimile apparatus of the present invention has an image transmission control unit that independently executes two facsimile procedures, and an image file unit that can simultaneously execute a write operation and a read operation, so that it can print two files at the same time. 15 according to the operation control 211 of image communication? The situation is well-prepared.

Therefore, in actual communication, the image main/sub unit 611 causes the image transmission fl+'l III section a3 and the image file section to operate together with the image skip section and the image printer section depending on the direction of transmission or reception. For example, when the image printer section is operating and image information is being received through the first information channel, the image information received from the second information channel is temporarily stored in the image file section, and the image information described above is stored in the image file section. By controlling the operation such as recording the image printer unit as soon as it becomes available, full-duplex communication in different directions can be achieved regardless of whether the image communication is being sent or received.

Furthermore, the facsimile device of the present invention has two
It also has two network control units and a network interface unit that allocates the operations of the network control unit to two information channels in one integrated digital service line, so that the audio main control unit and the image main control unit can be connected to each other. It goes without saying that voice communication and image communication can be performed simultaneously through control.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

- In Fig. 1, numeral 1 is a display section consisting of a liquid crystal display, lamps, etc., and displays operational guidance regarding making and receiving calls; 2 is a key power section, consisting of an operation panel having a numeric keypad, etc., for manually operating keys related to making and receiving calls; Reference numeral 3 denotes a hook switch section that exhibits an on-hook state or an off-hook state in accordance with manual key operation of the key human power section 2, and 4 indicates a key human power section 2 and a hook switch section 3 that occur in response to an operator's operation.
5 is an image main control unit that performs general operation control such as sending, receiving, copying, etc. related to image communication; 6 is an image main control unit that controls operations according to the state of the input of the camera, that is, a man-machine interface; and 6 realizes telephone communication. 7 is an image file section consisting of a disk or the like capable of simultaneously executing image information processing and reading operations; 8 is an image file section 04; An independent 2nd line regarding image information according to facsimile procedures such as procedures, 03 procedures, etc.
9 is an image scanner unit that reads and scans image information; 10 is an image scanner unit that performs image information scanning;
Reference numeral 11 and 12 refer to an image printer unit that hard copies (prints out) image information; 11 and 12 a network control unit that executes call procedures regarding incoming and outgoing calls to the network; and 13 a network interface unit that controls the interface with the network; 14
15 is a host interface section that controls the interface with a host computer (not shown); and 16 is a host interface bus such as GP-fB or LAN connected to this host I/computer.

As is clear from the configuration of FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has separate image main control section 5 and audio main control section 6, and also has a network control section that can be involved in the operation of each of them. 11 and 12 are provided.

As a result, the network control units 11 and 12 operate independently under the control of communication with the network interface unit 13, thereby allowing image communication and voice communication using the two available information channels of the 15DN line 14. This makes it possible to perform simultaneous processing.

The details of the operation of this facsimile machine will be explained below.

First, as the first action when making a call, the operator manually operates the keys necessary for making the call from the key manual unit 2 of the facsimile machine on the calling side, or performs an off-hook operation to set the off-hook state to the hook switch unit 3. Let it be detected.

The operation control unit 4 is informed of these operating conditions.

As a result, the operation control section 4 displays operation guidance on the display section 1, including selection of the services to be performed (image processing and u71'g processing JI), and prompts the operator to perform input operations.

Here, the operator selects a service and inputs call information such as the dial number of the called party's facsimile machine by operating the keypad unit 2 in accordance with the operational guidance displayed on the display unit 1.

When the service selected by the manual key operation is image processing, the operation control section 4 activates the processing operation of the image main control section 5.

If the service selected separately from this is audio processing, the operation control unit 4 activates the processing operation of the audio main control unit 6.

Thereafter, the image main control unit 5 and the audio main control unit 6 individually monitor and execute the main control of each operation related to the image processing J5 and audio processing, that is, the start, continuation, detection of responsibility, termination, etc. of the processing. do.

Here, the processing operation of the image main 1blJH section 5 will be described first.

That is, the image main control unit 5 selects 1! by selecting various services related to image processing. ′? Based on the key human power report 6, it centrally controls each IJI work of the image file section 7, image transmission control section 8, image scanning section 9, and image printer section 10 under management, and responds accordingly. Realize the service.

For example, when responding to a copy service request, the image main control section 5 instructs the image scanner section 9 to output image information obtained by reading and scanning by the image scanner section 9 to the image printer section 10. The processing operation is monitored until notification of completion is received from the image scanner unit 9.

Further, when responding to a request to print out the image information stored in the image file section 7 and stored in J3, the image main control section 5 outputs the image information to the image printer section 10. The processing operation is monitored until notification of completion is received from the image file section 7.

Furthermore, when responding to a request to transmit image information to the facsimile machine of the called party, the image main control section 5 transmits the image information obtained by reading and scanning to the image transmission control section 9 to the image transmission control section 8. The processing operation is monitored until a notification of completion is received from the image scanner unit 9.

At this time, the image transmission control section 8 notifies the network control section 11 or 12 of the call request under the control of the image main control section 5.

In response to this request, for example, the network control unit 11 executes a call procedure related to image transmission through the network interface unit 13.

Through this call procedure, one free information channel among the plurality of information channels of the 15DN line 14 is captured, and the image information transferred from the image scanning section 9 to the image transmission control section 8 is transmitted to the called side by facsimile. Rfi
Transmission to 12 takes place.

Next, the voice main control section 6 J',! ! Let's talk about the operation.

That is, the voice main control section 6 notifies the network control section 12 or 11 of a call request based on the key human power information obtained by the above-mentioned selection operation regarding the voice processing service in the human power section 2.

In response to this request, for example, the network control unit 12 executes a call procedure related to voice transmission through the network interface unit 13.

After one vacant information channel of 15DN B14 is captured by this call procedure, the voice main control unit 6 controls the communication circuit etc. to communicate with the facsimile machine of the called side through the information channel. calls.

Further, the operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention at the time of receiving a call is performed as follows.

That is, when an incoming call is received from the 15DN line 14, the network interface unit 13 determines whether the incoming call is an image call or a voice call, and informs the network control unit 11 or 12 of the incoming call. Notify you of an incoming call to that effect.

In the case of an image call, for example, the network control unit 11 notifies the image transmission control unit 8 of the incoming call.

Furthermore, image transmission system f211 part 8 (yo, image main side 6
11 notifies section 5 of the incoming call, and then sends the received image information to image printer section 7 or image printer section 10.

The image file section 7 or the image printer section 10 executes the recording/limiting of image information in step 1111 and the printing 1 to output operations respectively under the control of the image main control section 5.

Prior to this, the image main control section 5 issues a command to the operation control section 4 to display on the display section 1 "a display prompting you to respond to the incoming image call," and thereafter until receiving a notification of completion from the image transmission control section 8. Monitor these processing operations.

On the other hand, in the case of an incoming voice call, for example, the network control unit 12 notifies the voice main control unit 6 of the incoming call.

As a result, the voice main control section 6 performs a telephone conversation with the calling party by controlling the telephone communication circuit and the like.

Prior to this, the Kanayama main control unit 6 issues a command to the operation control unit 4 to display on the display unit 1 [display prompting you to respond to an incoming voice call], and thereafter continues to do so until the call ends. 8! L Monitor immediate action.

In this way, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention has network control sections 11 and 12 provided so as to be able to participate in the operations of the image main control section 5 and the audio main control section 6, respectively.
By operating independently after cooperative control with the network interface unit 13, it is possible to simultaneously process image communication and voice communication using the two available information channels of the ISDN line 14. Become.

By the way, the facsimile Hlliif of the present invention is equipped with an image file section 7 and an image transmission control section 8. In particular, the former is capable of simultaneously executing image information processing and reading operations, and the latter is capable of executing G4 procedure. Ya G3
It is possible to perform two independent transmission controls regarding image communication according to facsimile procedures such as procedures.

The specific configuration of the image transmission control unit 8 is as follows.
For example, if the network control units 11 and 12 have the same capabilities,
This can be realized by two circuits (a first circuit 8a and a second circuit 8b) that operate independently in accordance with the above.

As a result, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, even when there is a request to perform two image communications at the same time, the network control unit 1
1 or the network control section 12, the first circuit 8a or the second circuit 8b is operated independently, and the image file section 7 performs the image information processing or reading operation, and furthermore, the image scanner section The above request can be met by appropriately activating the image printer section 10 or the image printer section 10, so that full-duplex operation in different directions regarding the so-called image printer section 8 can be realized regardless of transmission or reception.

Hereinafter, we will discuss typical cases of simultaneous processing of image communications that occur in this type of facsimile machine, and how to deal with them.

For example, when image information is received through a second information channel while the image scanner section 9 is activated and image information is transmitted through the first information channel, the image main control section 5 transmits image information from the other party's terminal. The image printer section 10 may be activated to record the image or may be controlled to be written to the image file section 7.

Also, when image information that has been corrupted in the image file unit 7 is transmitted through the first information channel and image information is received through the second information channel, the image main control unit 5 is configured to transmit the image information from the other party's terminal. The image information may be controlled to be recorded by starting the image printer section 10 or to be written to the image file section 7.

On the contrary, while starting up the image printer section 1o,
When receiving image information through the second information channel while receiving image information through the second information channel, the image main control section 5 controls the image information from the other party's terminal to be written into the image file section 7. Bye.

Furthermore, while the image information is being loaded into the image file section 7 and the image information is being received through the first information channel, the second
When receiving image information through the information channel of
The image main control section 5 may control the image printer section 10 to start up and record the image information from the other party's terminal.

Further, when transmitting image information through the second information channel while the image printer section 1o is activated and image information is being received through the first information channel, the image main control section 5 controls the image scanner section 9. The image information read during activation may be sent directly to the other party's terminal, or the image information may be loaded into the image file section 7.

By applying such control, for example, in the Ming Dynasty facsimile machine, the first fax number 1? Even if a request for image communication is issued due to the operation of an image processing key in the human power unit 2 while image information is being communicated by the channel, it is possible to maintain full-duplex operation in different directions related to the image communication. .

In this case, the image main control 2D section 5 sends an image to the image scanner section 9 depending on the situation after the image communication request light is sent.
The image information may be read while activating the image information, or the image information may be written in the image file section 7 in advance using /V, and then transmitted to the other party's terminal through the second information channel.

By the way, each module in the facsimile machine of the present invention, such as the image scanner section 9 and the image printer section 10, are all configured to operate in response to commands.

Accordingly, when the image main control section 5 controls each module such as the image control section 9, it executes this by sending out a corresponding command.

In addition, side information such as a notification of the end of the operation is executed by, for example, the image scanner section 9 sending a corresponding command to the image-dominated city 1 section 5.

In this way, the facsimile machine according to the present invention has each module that operates according to commands, so that the facsimile machine can communicate with the host 1-interface section 15 via the host I-interface bus 16.
The operation can also be controlled by an external device such as a computer.

Figure 2 shows the 7? This shows an example of a command used to control the operation of the Kushimiri device, and the destination field 20. R° Shingen Field 21
, a message section 22.

Corresponding to the configuration of such commands, each of the modules described above, such as the image main control section 5, the image scanner section 9, the image printer section 10, etc., is assigned an address number in a system that does not overlap with the operation within the facsimile machine. The destination field 20, north source field 21, and message section 22 contain their corresponding address numbers.

Furthermore, the message section 22 contains binary codes having meanings such as "start" and "end".

Now, when actually operating a facsimile machine, the host computer creates a command having the format described above, and sends this command to the host 1-interface bus 1.
6, the data is transferred to the inside of the facsimile machine via the host interface section 15.

As a result, in the facsimile machine, for example, the image capture unit 9 starts operation in response to the startup command, but at this time, it does not matter where the optical source of the startup command is, and the notification of the end of the processing operation is activated. It is only sent back to the Nu source address of the command.

Therefore, the host computer can control 211 the facsimile apparatus in various corresponding operations by sending commands to the host interface unit 15 in the same way that the image main control unit 5 sends commands.

With the above-described general configuration J3 and control, the overall operation flow of the facsimile apparatus in the communication system of the present invention is processed according to the operation state transition diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, 30 indicates an idle state.

Similarly, 32 is in image operation, 34 is in audio operation, 36
31.37 indicates the image processing operation guide is in progress, and 33.35 indicates the audio processing operation guide.

The facsimile machine is in an idle state 30 when it is not performing any operations.

゛Here, for example, when an image processing key (such as a dial number key of a facsimile machine) is manually operated from the keyboard (key human power unit 2), the facsimile machine performs an image processing operation to select an image processing service, etc. A transition is made to the guiding state 31.

After that, when the service is determined by operation based on this operation guide, the facsimile machine will be placed in the 47901 in progress state 3.
Transition to 2.

Further, when the facsimile machine receives an image call in the idle state 30, it directly transitions to the image operating state 32.

When the image processing is completed in this state 32, the facsimile machine returns to the idle state 30 again.

On the other hand, in the idle state 30, if the voice processing key or off-hook is operated, the facsimile apparatus transits to a state 33 in which the voice processing operation is being guided.

When the manual operation of the keys necessary for a telephone call is completed according to the operation guide displayed in this state 33, the facsimile machine changes to a state 834 in which voice operation is in progress.

Further, when this facsimile machine receives an incoming voice call in the idle state 30, it directly transitions to the voice operating state 34.

Furthermore, when a voice operation request occurs in the image operation state 32, the facsimile machine transits through the voice processing operation guide state 35 to the image and voice simultaneous operation state 36 while continuing the image operation.

On the other hand, when a voice call is received in the state 32 in which the image is being operated, the facsimile machine directly transitions to the state 36 in which the image and voice are in simultaneous operation without going through the state 35.

Further, when a key for image processing is manually operated in the state 34 in which the voice operation is in progress, the facsimile machine goes through the state 37 in which the image processing operation is being performed while continuing the voice operation, and then returns to the state 36 in which the image and audio are in simultaneous operation. Transition.

On the other hand, when an image call is received in the state 34 in which the voice is in operation, the door combing device does not go through the state 37 and directly transitions to the state 36 in which the image and voice are in simultaneous operation.

When the voice processing is completed in the simultaneous image and voice operation state 36, the facsimile machine transits to the image and voice production state 32, and when the image processing is completed, the state changes to the voice operation state 34.

Furthermore, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when a second image is received in the image processing state 32, the facsimile apparatus directly transitions to the state 321 in which the second image 1υ is being produced.

In this state 321, under the control of the image main control section 5, a response 01 operation is performed in response to the incoming second image call while maintaining the first image operation.

Then, upon completion of the response operation to the second image call, the facsimile machine returns to the image operation state 3.
Return to 2.

Furthermore, when an image operation request is generated by the operator's operation of an image processing key in state 32 during image operation, the facsimile machine continues the previous image operation and enters state 3 during second image processing operation guide.
22, a transition is made to a state 321 in which the second image is in operation.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the facsimile procedure of Komei, there are two network control units that operate independently, and a network interface that allocates the operations of these network control units to two information channels of one I5DN. In addition to the main control section, the configuration has an image transmission control section that independently executes two facsimile procedures, and an image file section that can perform writing and reading operations simultaneously. Not only can voice communication and image communication be performed at the same time through the control of the Has excellent advantages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a command when controlling fl by a host computer, which is an externally connected device. FIG. 3 is an operational state transition diagram showing the flow of processing in the facsimile Hiff of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Display part, 2...Key manual part, 3...Hook switch part, 4...Operation control part, 5...
Image main control unit, 6... Audio main control unit, 7... Image file unit, 8... Image transmission control unit, 8a
. . . first circuit, 8b . . . second circuit, 9 . . . Image Sugi Sena section, 10 .
12...Network side UD section, 13...Network interface section, 14...IS[)N line, 15...Host interface section, 16...Host interface bus, 20...Destination field, 21...18 light field, 22...Message section Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Two network control units that operate independently; a network interface unit that allocates the operations of the network control units to two information channels in one integrated digital service line; and a speech communication circuit for voice communication. an image transmission control section that independently executes two facsimile procedures, an image file section that can perform writing and reading operations simultaneously, and an image scanner section that reads image information. an image printer unit that records image information; and when a request for image communication occurs through a second information channel while image communication is being performed through the first information channel in the integrated digital service line, the first information channel records the image information; an image main control section that controls each operation of the image transmission control section, the image file section, the image scanner section, and the image printer section in order to perform image communication using the second information channel while maintaining image communication using the second information channel; A facsimile device comprising: