JPH04859A - Communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display a received facsimile picture on a TV receiver and accumulate data in a tape recorder by connecting the TV receiver and tape recorder to a telephone set. CONSTITUTION:This communication unit 1 is connected with a public telephone line, etc., through a telephone leading-in section 3 and, at the same time, the telephone set 4 which is directly connected with the section 3 is usually connected with the unit 1. On the other hand, a write pen 2 which is used for the computer terminal device, etc., is provided to the unit 1 in a freely removable state as a basic constitution. In addition, a TV receiver 5, tape recorder 6, and a picture reproducing device 7, such as a video camera, video tape recorder, etc., are connected with the communication unit 1 so as to constitute a paperless facsimile system. Moreover, a keyboard 8, personal computer 9, printer 7, etc., are connected to the communication unit 1, as required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a communication unit that transmits and receives facsimile images and the like using public telephone lines and the like.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, a facsimile machine includes a printer section that prints the received signal on recording paper to reproduce the image, an image sensor section that optically reads the transmitted document, a network control circuit that controls the telephone line, and a modulation/demodulation system for the transmission signal. It is equipped with a modem that performs the functions, and a control section using a microprocessor or the like.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machines require mechanical parts such as the printer section and the image sensor section to transport the original and recording paper, so it is generally difficult to make them smaller and also difficult to reduce the price. However, it has the disadvantage that it is difficult for ordinary individuals and households to purchase and install.

On the other hand, when considering how facsimile is used, it is not always necessary to transmit an image written on a document, nor is it necessary to fix a received image on recording paper.

Furthermore, since this type of facsimile machine basically has the function of communicating with public telephone lines, there is a strong demand for it to be able to be used as a modem for personal computers and the like.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a communication unit that can inexpensively and compactly implement facsimile functions using telephone lines in ordinary homes. It is about providing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a network control circuit that controls a telephone line, a modem that modulates and demodulates a transmission signal, and a network control circuit that controls a telephone line, a modem that modulates and demodulates a transmission signal, and processes the transmission signal, controls each part, and A microprocessor that interacts with personal computers, etc., and a light pen that selects each function and inputs images to be sent on an external TV screen, and displays facsimile images related to transmission and reception on the TV screen. The apparatus is equipped with a television compatible section, a tape recorder compatible section that records received facsimile + 1 image data on an external tape recorder and plays it back later, and an image capture section that captures transmitted images from an external image playback device. ing.

[Effect]

In the communication unit of the present invention, by connecting a telephone, a television, and a tape recorder, which are always present in ordinary homes, it is possible to display received facsimile images on the television and store data on the tape recorder. Furthermore, you can send images drawn on a television screen with a light pen, images from an image playback device such as a video camera (floppy camera, video movie), or video tape recorder to the other party's facsimile device, and other personal computers. It can be used as a modem or intelligent terminal by connecting to In addition, selection operations for various functions of the communication unit can be performed by pointing a display on an operation panel displayed on the television screen with a light pen, making it possible to eliminate any keys from the main body.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a communication unit of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a communication unit 1 is connected to a public telephone line etc. via a telephone lead-in part 3, and a telephone 4, which is normally connected directly to the telephone lead-in part 3, is connected to the communication unit 1. In addition, telephone lead-in part 3. telephone 4
The connection between the cord from etc. and the communication unit 1 is performed by a modular jack or the like. Furthermore, if it is not possible to connect directly to a public telephone line, an acoustic coupler or the like can be used (see Figure 2).

On the other hand, the communication unit 1 is basically provided with a detachable light pen 2 used in a computer terminal device, etc., and further includes a television 5° tape recorder 6, a video camera (floppy camera, Hideomuhy), and a video tape recorder 6. By connecting an image reproducing device 7 such as a recorder, a paperless 7-acunmile is configured. Note that the tape recorder 6 and the image reproducing device 7 do not necessarily have to be connected. Further, if necessary, the communication unit 1 may include a keyboard 8, a personal computer 9. A printer 7 (via a personal computer 9), etc. is connected.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the communication unit 1. The communication unit I-1 includes a network control circuit (NCU) la, a modem (MODEM) 1b, a microprocessor 1c, and a memory (ROM). , RAM) 1d, 1e, ringback tone generator 1f, ringtone generator 1g, TV compatible section 1h, image capture section 1]
, a tape recorder compatible section lj, and a display section 1. The power supply for operating each part is as follows:
Ideally, it would be obtained directly from the telephone line, but if there is a shortage of electricity, a battery system or an AC adapter system may be used. In addition, the functions of each part will be explained through the following operations.

Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained for each case.

(1) In the standard mode of the communication unit 1 during operation, the microprocessor 1c communicates with the external TV 5 via the TV compatible section 1h.
For example, an image of an operation panel as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

In this state, when the user points with the light pen 2 at a position on the television screen corresponding to a desired function, the microprocessor lc recognizes the selected function via the television correspondence section 1h and executes the selected function.

Therefore, unlike general electronic application products, there is no need to provide various keys on the main body of the device.

(2) When an incoming call is received When there is an incoming call on the telephone line, the network control circuit 1a detects the ringer and, under the control of the microprocessor Ic, connects the telephone line to the telephone line in the same way as when the handset of the telephone 4 is off-hook. Creates a DC loop and automatically answers incoming calls.

Next, it is determined whether or not a calling signal (CNG) of a predetermined frequency (2100 Hz) arrives from the other party's facsimile machine within a predetermined time (approximately 3.5 seconds). If not, it will switch to phone mode. That is, since incoming calls may come directly from a facsimile machine or the like and may come from a person, the system is designed to distinguish between the two.

In the telephone mode, the ringtone generator 1g transmits a ringtone to the telephone 4 in order to generate a ringtone in the telephone 4 to notify the person of the incoming call, and at the same time, in order to make the other party recognize that a call is being made, A ring pack tone generator 1f sends out a pseudo ringback tone to the telephone line. When a person notices the ringer tone and actually takes the handset of the telephone 4 off-hook, the ringer tone and ringback tone are stopped, and a normal conversation is established.

Then, the telephone line is restored by ending the call and putting the handset on hook. In addition, the predetermined time (3
If the phone is not turned on after approximately 0 minutes), an alarm can be generated to prevent people from forgetting to turn on and off.

In addition, even if you switch to telephone mode and ring the ringtone, if you do not answer the call within a predetermined time (selectable from 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 240 seconds, etc.), the other party may If the phone does not hang up even after the time has elapsed, it is determined that the facsimile transmission was performed manually, and the mode is switched to facsimile mode.

On the other hand, in the facsimile mode, under the control of the microprocessor 1c, communication is performed with the facsimile machine of the other party via the modem 1b, and the data of the facsimile image sent from the other party is stored in the memory 1e. In addition, when the tape recorder 6 is connected, the FSX format or PS
KSX format facsimile image data is recorded on an audio tape. At this time, the information may be automatically recorded on the tape recorder 6 at the same time as it is received, or it may be recorded (saved) later in response to an operation by the operator using the light pen 2. Note that the tape recorder 6 can be controlled by a signal applied to a remote control terminal.

When a facsimile image is received, this fact will be displayed on the LCD.
, displayed on the display unit 1k such as an LED.

After that, when viewing the received facsimile image, the memory is refilled by performing a predetermined operation with the light pen 2.
facsimile image data is read out from e or tape recorder 6, converted to a video signal in composite signal format via television compatible section 1h, and displayed on the screen of television 5. Note that, due to resolution, it is impossible to display one page of facsimile images simultaneously on one screen of the TV 5, so for example, one page is divided into about nine parts and displayed, and scrolled up, down, left, right, and so on. be able to see. You can also enlarge or reduce the display.

It is also possible to perform black and white inverted display, 906°, 180°, 270° rotated display, etc.

Furthermore, the printer 10 via the personal computer 9
is connected, the received facsimile image can also be printed on recording paper under the control of the microprocessor 1c.

(3) Transmission Images to be transmitted can be selected from at least the following four types.

■Image input by light pen 2 ■Image stored in memory 1e ■Image stored in tape recorder 6 When the light pen 2 is traced on the screen of the television 5, the position of the light pen 2 is detected by the microprocessor I via the television compatible section 1h.
C recognizes it and stores it in memory 1e as an image.

At the same time, the image is displayed on the screen of the television 5 via the television corresponding section 1h, so that the user can recognize it. and,
Under the control of the microprocessor 1c, the network control circuit 1a
After establishing communication with the other party's facsimile machine using the modem ib, the image data held in the memory 1e is read out and transmitted via the modem 1b.

When transmitting an image stored in the memo IJ1e or the tape recorder 6, the network control circuit 1a and modem 1b are transmitted under the control of the microprocessor 1c.
After establishing communication with the other party's facsimile machine, the image data stored in the memory 1e or the tape recorder 6 is read out and transmitted via the modem lb.

When transmitting an image given from the image reproducing device 7 (ii), a video camera (floppy camera) is used.

(video movie), captures the playback image of the image playback device 7 such as a video recorder via the image capture unit 11,
After establishing communication with the other party's facsimile machine, send the captured image.

(4) Other keyboards connected to the microprocessor IC8. The communication unit 1 can also be used as an intelligent terminal or modem using a personal computer 9 or the like.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the communication unit of the present invention can: - display received facsimile images on the television and receive data by connecting the telephone, television, tape recorder, etc. that are always present in ordinary homes; In addition to being able to store images, images handwritten with a light pen can be sent, and a paperless facsimile can be easily configured.

■ Images from an image playback device such as a video camera can be sent to the other party's facsimile device.

■All operations can be performed using a light pen, and keys can be eliminated from the communication unit body, making the body smaller and cheaper.

■By connecting to an external printer via a personal computer, it is also possible to fix the received facsimile image on recording paper.

■Can be connected to an external personal computer and used as a modem or indirect terminal.

■Since there are no mechanical parts, it can be constructed inexpensively and compactly.

There are other effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a communication unit of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the communication unit, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a television screen. l...Communication unit 1a...Network control circuit (NCU) 1b...Modem (MODEM) 1c...Microprocessor ld...Memory (ROM) le...Memory (RAM) 1f ...Ring pack tone generator 1g...
Ringtone generator 1h...TV compatible section 11...Image capture section 1J...Tape recorder compatible section lk...Display section 2...Light Ben 3...Telephone entry section 4... Telephone 5... Television 6... Tape recorder 7... Image playback device 8... Keyboard 9... Personal Computer 10...Printer

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A network control circuit that controls a telephone line, a modem that modulates and demodulates a transmission signal, a microprocessor that processes the transmission signal, controls each part, and interacts with an external personal computer, etc., and a light source. In addition to selecting each function and inputting images to be sent on the screen of an external TV using a pen, there is also a TV compatible section that displays facsimile images related to sending and receiving on the TV screen, and a TV compatible section that displays the data of received facsimile images on an external tape. A communication unit comprising: a tape recorder compatible section that records on a recorder and plays back later; and an image capture section that captures transmitted images from an external image playback device.