JPH03132151A - Composite communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discriminate the transmission reception modes automatically and to select one of them by sending a signal representing a function of the 1st transmission reception mode and a signal representing enabled transmission reception of data in the 2nd transmission reception mode prior to the reception of the data. CONSTITUTION:A high speed MODEM 5 is used for high speed communication for a picture data for a facsimile equipment or the like and a low speed MO DEM 6 is used for low speed communication when a picture data and a voice data are sent/received with multiplex like a drawn picture communication. The equipment is a composite communication equipment selecting the 1st transmission reception mode sending/receiving a picture data and the 2nd transmission reception mode sending/receiving a picture data and a voice data with multiplexing and sends a signal representing a function of the 1st transmission reception mode and a signal representing enabled transmission reception of data in the 2nd transmission reception mode prior to the reception of the data. Thus, the 1st and 2nd transmission reception modes are discriminated automatically and one of the transmission reception modes is automatically selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Field of Application The present invention applies to a device that transmits and receives only image data, such as a facsimile device, and a device that multiplexes image data and audio data, such as a so-called image communication device. The present invention relates to a composite communication device formed by combining a device capable of transmitting and receiving data.

(b) Prior Art At present, the above-mentioned facsimile device and image communication device have been put into practical use individually. Furthermore, a device that combines both of these devices has been proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-242456.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention Currently, communication by facsimile devices is conducted based on CCITT Recommendation-30, while communication by image communication devices is conducted based on CCITT Recommendation T-150.

In this way, the two devices are completely different in terms of communication methods, so even if the two devices described above are combined, when communicating with the other party using such a combined communication device, each device must be able to tell the other party which device's function. It was necessary to check whether it was being used and then switch to communicate.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its structural features include a first transmission/reception mode for transmitting and receiving image data;
A composite communication device capable of selecting a second transmission/reception mode for transmitting/receiving a signal formed by multiplexing image data and audio data, wherein a signal indicating a function related to the first transmission/reception mode and The object of the present invention is to transmit a signal indicating that data can be transmitted and received in the second transmission and reception mode.

Furthermore, other features include a first transmission and reception mode in which image data is transmitted and received via a high-speed modem, and a second transmission and reception mode in which the image data and audio data input and output from the telephone are transmitted and received through a demultiplexing circuit. A composite communication device capable of selecting the first transmission and reception mode, wherein transmission and reception of various control signals performed prior to transmission and reception of data are performed in the first transmission and reception mode,
At this time, when there is a request for transmission and reception in the second transmission and reception mode from the other party's device, the transmission and reception mode is switched to the second transmission and reception mode.

(e) Operation According to such a configuration, it is possible to automatically discriminate between the first and second transmission and reception modes, and also to automatically select one of the transmission and reception modes.

(F) Embodiment The present invention basically uses a non-standard function signal (NSF) sent in the communication procedure of a facsimile machine specified in CCITT Recommendation T-30 to select between a facsimile machine and an image communication device. The main purpose is to use it.

That is, according to CCITT Recommendation T-30 (hereinafter simply referred to as T-30 Recommendation), when devices are connected, the receiving side first sends a 2100 Hz single tone signal (CED) indicating the start of reception, as shown in Figure 1. ) is sent. Then the receiving side
A digital identification signal (Dis) is sent out, but such DIS
The signal indicates the functions provided by the receiving side device among the standard functions such as communication speed and image density specified by the T-30 recommendation. Further, the receiving device can also send a non-standard function signal (NSF) following the DIS signal. Such an NSF signal indicates a function (non-standard function) other than the function indicated by the above DIS signal, and according to the T-30 recommendation, it is too
.

It consists of 8-bit binary identification data (0100) followed by a plurality of 8-bit data indicating the non-standard functions. Further, the coding format of such data can be set independently by the manufacturer.

In this embodiment, the first data following the identification data is used as manufacturer identification data, and the second data is used as data indicating that it can also be used as a graphic image communication device.

On the other hand, when the sender receives the DIS signal and the NSF signal, it determines the transmission/reception mode with the other party based on both signals and the function specified in advance by the user in the sending device, and notifies the receiving end of the decision.

Specifically, assuming that the sending device is designated to perform facsimile communication, the device determines the communication method for facsimile communication, such as the communication speed and density, based on the above two signals, and Facsimile transmission is enabled according to that method, and a signal indicating the determined communication method is sent to the receiving device.

As such a signal, a digital command signal (
DO5) and a non-standard function setting signal (NSS).

The DC5 signal is a signal indicating the standard function adopted in the above-mentioned deterministic communication method, and the NSS signal is a signal indicating the function adopted in the above-mentioned deterministic communication method among the non-standard functions sent as the NSF signal. It is. Note that when the non-standard function sent as the NSF signal is not adopted as a function in the communication system, the NSS signal is not sent.

The receiving device that receives the DC5 and NSS signals sets itself to correspond to the communication method designated by these two signals.

Furthermore, after transmitting the DC3 signal, the transmitting device then starts transmitting training data (TR). When the receiving device correctly receives the TR data, it sends out a reception preparation confirmation signal (CFR). This enables the receiving device to receive facsimile data. Further, the transmitting side device that receives the CFR signal assumes that the receiving side device is ready for reception, and starts transmitting facsimile data.

On the other hand, if it is assumed that the transmitting device is specified to perform graphical image communication, such a device will receive N
Determine whether the SF signal contains data indicating that it can be used as a graphic image communication device, and if it is included, send a non-standard graphic image communication signal (TTS). (See Figure 2). In addition, the receiving device that receives such a TTS signal changes its own functions to be suitable for drawing image communication, and sends a drawing image communication preparation confirmation signal (T-CFR) indicating that drawing image communication is possible. Send out.

Hereinafter, CCITT Recommendation T-150 (hereinafter referred to as AAA: T'
-150 Recommendation), image communication becomes possible.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a composite communication device to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, (1) is a scanner, and the scanner is a well-known optical original reading means equipped with a COD or contact type image sensor. (2) is a display unit made of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, (3) is a pressure-sensitive transparent tablet for inputting handwritten drawings, and (4) is an input pen for drawing on the tablet. The tablet (3) is the display part (2)
The image drawn on the tablet (3) is displayed on the display section (2) in real time.

(5) is a high-speed modem, which is used for high-speed communication of image data such as facsimile. (6) is a low-speed modem, and this modem is used for low-speed communication when image data and audio data are multiplexed and transmitted/received, such as image communication. (7) is a telephone, and (8) is a demultiplexing circuit. This circuit multiplexes the image data sent via the low-speed modem (6) with the audio data input from the telephone (7), and transmits it over the telephone line. On the other hand, when multiplexed data is received from the telephone line, it separates the data into image data and audio data, and sends the data to a low-speed modem (6) and a telephone (7), respectively.

(9) is an input section, and the input section includes a FAX key (1) that instructs the input section to function as a facsimile machine when making a call.
0) and T that instructs it to function as a graphic image communication device.
LD key (11). (12) is a printer such as a laser printer, (13) is a memory capable of storing image data, etc., and (14) to (16) are for connecting the above-mentioned scanner (1) etc. with a main control unit to be described later. The interface (17) connects the main control unit and the high-speed modem (
5) or a low-speed modem (6), and this circuit is normally energized to connect the main control unit and the high-speed modem (5).

Reference numeral (18) denotes a main control section consisting of, for example, a microprocessor with a built-in timer, and the main control section controls the above-mentioned respective sections based on a built-in control program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the main control section (18) when making a call based on the above control program, and below, the operation when making a call in this embodiment will be explained based on the above chart.

First, a call is made by inputting the telephone number of the other party using the telephone (7) in the same way as a normal telephone, etc., and a connection with the other party is waited for in step S1. During this connection, if the other party is a facsimile machine or the same complex communication device as in this embodiment, the CHD signal, which is a single tone signal of <2100 Hz, is returned as described above (see Figure 1).
On the other hand, when the other party is a graphic image communication device, the other party's audio data is sent back.

Therefore, by listening to the returned data at the time of connection, the user can roughly determine the type of the other party's device.

Thereafter, in step S2, when the user inputs a key on the input unit (9) to select whether to perform 7 facsimile communication or image communication, the main control unit (18) detects this and continues. <At step 33, press the FAX key (10) or l! TLD key (11
) is input.

If it is determined in this determination that the TLD key (11) has been input, the process advances to step 84. In step S4, a return message from the other party is received via the high-speed modem (5), and it is determined whether or not there is a CED signal therein. If it is determined in such a determination that there is no CED signal, the process proceeds to step 59, and as will be described later, communication of drawn images is immediately possible. In other words, when the other party is a simple image communication device, CHD signals etc. are not sent, so TLD
Based on the input of the key (11), the process immediately shifts to image communication.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that there is a CHD signal, it is determined in the following step S5 whether or not the NSF signal is also returned, and the second data is a picture predefined within the device of this embodiment. It is determined whether the data matches the data indicating that it can be used as an image communication device.

In such a determination, if it is determined that the NSF signal does not exist, or even if it does exist, the second data is different from the defined one, it is assumed that graphic image communication with the other party is impossible, and the process proceeds to 82 steps. Return to Also, if it is determined that the second data above matches the defined one, the process is executed at 8.
Proceed to step 6.

In step S6, it is determined whether the first data in the NSF signal matches manufacturer specific data predefined within the device of this embodiment.

If it is determined that there is no match in such a determination, it is assumed that communication of drawn images with the other party is impossible, and the process returns to step 82. On the other hand, if it is determined that they match, the other device is also the same device.
Assuming that image communication is possible, the steps below <37 are sequentially processed.

In step S7, a TTS signal is first sent to the other party via the high-speed modem (5), and in the next step SS, the process waits for the other party to send back a T-CFR signal in response to the TTS signal.

When the T-CFR signal is returned, the main control unit (18)
In step S9, first, the switching circuit (17) is controlled to connect to the low-speed modem (6), and each part is controlled to execute the image communication specified by the T-150 recommendation.

Next, in step S10, drawing image communication is executed. Specifically, the image drawn on the tablet (3) with the input pen (4) is first stored in the memory (13) and also displayed on the display unit (2). The data is displayed on the top and is further sent as multiplexed data to the other party's device via the low-speed modem (6) and demultiplexing circuit (8). In addition, image data multiplexed with audio data is also sent from the communication phaser side, but such data is separated from the audio data in the demultiplexing circuit (8) and sent via the low-speed modem (6). This will be input to the main control section (18). The main control section (18) combines the input image data with the image data in the memory (13) and also displays it on the display section (2). In this manner, conventionally known communication of drawn images is performed. In addition, the above demultiplexing circuit (8)
It goes without saying that the separated voice data is output via the telephone (7).

When such drawing image communication is completed, the main control unit (18) executes S11.
This is detected in the step, and the above-mentioned communication operation is canceled and the connection state with the high-speed modem (5) is restored.

Returning to step S3, if it is determined that the FAX key (10) has been input in this step, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the presence or absence of the CED signal is determined as in step S4. In such a determination, if it is determined that there is no CHD signal, it is determined that facsimile communication with the other party's device is impossible, and the process returns to step 82.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a CED signal, the process advances to step 813. In step S13, the main control unit (18
) receives the DIS signal and NSF signal sent following the CED signal via the high-speed modem (5), determines the DCS signal and NSS signal based on these two signals, and sends the high-speed modem (5) to the high-speed modem (5). ) to the other party.

Next, in step S14, a TR signal is sent out, and in step S15, the CPU waits for the return of a CFR signal, which is a response to the TR signal, and when there is a return, the process advances to step 816.

In step S16, the main control section (18) controls each section to perform well-known facsimile communication. That is, when becoming the sending side, the image data read by the scanner (1) is encoded and sent to the other party's device via the high-speed modem (5). Incidentally, when acting as the receiving side, the encoded data received via the high-speed modem (5) is decoded and outputted from the printer (12).

When such facsimile communication is completed, the main control section (18) detects this in step 817 and cancels the communication operation.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, when there is no key power in step S2, the normal telephone conversation state is maintained.

Figure 5 shows the main control unit (1
8) is a flowchart showing the control operation of step 8), and below, based on this chart, the operation of the device of this embodiment at the time of incoming call will be explained.

First, in step 521, the main control section (18) waits for an incoming call from the other party, and when the incoming call is received, the main control section (18) starts time counting using a built-in timer in step S22. Thereafter, the main control section (18) sends out the CED signal, DIS, and NSF signals via the high-speed modem (5) in steps S23 and S24. It should be noted that the first data of the NSF signal is set as manufacturer identification data, and the second data is set as data indicating that drawing image communication is possible.

Next, in step 525, the main control unit (18) receives the DC5 signal returned from the other party in response to the DIS signal, etc.
signal, NSS signal or TTS signal is connected to a high-speed modem (5
). If it is determined in such a determination that none of the above signals have been returned, in the following step 826, it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of the time count in step S22, and if it is determined that 10 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step 523. Return to step.

Therefore, for about 10 seconds after receiving a call from the other party, the CHD signal,
While sending the DIS signal and NSF signal to the other party, it waits for a response signal (such as a DCS signal) from the other party.

If it is determined in step S26 that 10 seconds have elapsed, the main control section (18) advances the process to step S27. In step S27, the built-in timer is reset and time counting is started again.

In the following step S28, it is determined whether or not a signal (TTS signal) requesting image communication based on the T-150 recommendation has been sent from the other party. If it is determined that the signal has not been sent, the process advances to step 329.

In step S29, similarly to step S26, it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of the time count in step S27, and if 10 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S28.
Return to step. Therefore, in the device of this embodiment, if a response signal such as a DCS signal is not returned within 10 seconds after receiving a call, the device will wait for the input of a TTS signal for <10 seconds following this.

If it is determined in step S29 that 10 seconds have elapsed, the main control section (18) ends the control operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that a TTS signal has been sent, the process advances to step 831.

Returning to step S25, if it is determined in this step that the response signal is present, the process advances to step 830.

In step S30, it is determined whether the response signal is a TTS signal. If it is determined that the signal is a TTS signal, the T-CFR signal is sent to the other party's device in the following step 831, and further, in step S32, the main control section (18) transmits the low-speed modem ( In addition to controlling the switching circuit (17) to connect with 6), each part is controlled to enable image communication specified by the T-150 recommendation.

Thereafter, in step S33, communication of drawn images becomes possible in the same manner as in steps 3-10 described above. Furthermore, when such communication is completed, the main control unit (18
) detects this and ends the control operation, and the switching circuit (
17) back to the high-speed modem (5) side.

Returning to step S30, if it is determined in step that not a TTS signal but a DC5 signal and/or NSS signal and a TR signal following this signal have been returned from the other party, a CFR signal is sent out in step S35. After that, in step S36, according to the function indicated by the DC5 signal and/or the NSS signal, the
Facsimile communication is performed in the same way as in 16 steps. Further, when such communication ends, the main control section (18) detects this in step S37 and ends the control operation.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, a signal indicating that graphical image communication is possible, in which a signal formed by multiplexing image data and audio data is transmitted and received, is transmitted to and received from the facsimile communication specified in CCITT Recommendation T-30. It can be transmitted as a control signal, and when such a signal is received, it is also possible to automatically switch from facsimile communication to image communication. Therefore, there is no need for the user to switch as in the past.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are schematic diagrams for explaining transmission and reception of control signals in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams of the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. (1)...Scanner, (3)...Tablet, (4
)...Input pen, (5)...High speed modem, (6)...
...low-speed modem, (7) ... telephone, (8) ... demultiplexing circuit, (9) ... input section, (18) ... main control section

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A first transmission/reception mode for transmitting and receiving image data;
A composite communication device capable of selecting a second transmission/reception mode for transmitting/receiving a signal formed by multiplexing image data and audio data, wherein a signal indicating a function related to the first transmission/reception mode and a A composite communication device characterized by transmitting a signal indicating that data can be transmitted and received in the second transmission and reception mode. (2) The first part transmits and receives image data via a high-speed modem.
a second transmission/reception mode in which the above image data and audio data input/output from a telephone are transmitted/received via a demultiplexing circuit; Transmission and reception of various control signals is performed in the first transmission and reception mode, and when there is a request for transmission and reception in the second transmission and reception mode from the other party's device, the transmission and reception mode is switched to the second transmission and reception mode. Composite communication device.