JP2950197B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device capable of performing both data communication and facsimile communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of information are collected and managed, and a communication device having two functions, a function of performing data communication and a function of performing facsimile communication, has been used inside the device.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 59-61338 proposes a communication device having a facsimile communication unit, a data terminal function unit, and a function changeover switch for connecting one of them. In this proposal, a facsimile communication unit and a data terminal function unit are switched by a function changeover switch and connected to a line. In the proposed device, the line up to the exchange is shared by the function changeover switch. After that, the connection to the data communication terminal is performed when performing data communication, and the connection to the facsimile terminal is performed when performing facsimile communication. I'm going to do it. Therefore, when performing facsimile communication after performing data communication with the data communication terminal, the communication with the data communication terminal is terminated, and a line connection is performed again with the facsimile terminal to perform facsimile communication. Like that.

[0004]

As described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the proposal described in JP-A-61338, since the communication partner device is a device having a single communication function such as a data terminal or a facsimile terminal, it is necessary to start and terminate communication independently for each. Therefore,
Even if the data terminal and the facsimile terminal are located very close, such as in the same office,
It was necessary to independently connect and terminate the line, and efficient transmission and reception of data could not be performed.

Further, when such a conventional communication device is used, a line is disconnected once when facsimile information is obtained after requesting and performing data communication with a communication partner device. The device had to send facsimile information. In this case, the transmission side bears the line usage fee for data communication, but the facsimile information is called by the communication partner device side, so that there is a problem that this communication partner device as the information provider is charged. Was.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 59-127462 and 5-160946, code data for data communication is converted into image data to perform data communication and facsimile communication with the same communication partner device. An apparatus is disclosed. However, converting the code data to facsimile information as bitmap data and transmitting the converted data not only requires a great deal of processing before transmission, but also causes a problem that communication cannot be performed efficiently.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device capable of performing facsimile communication after data communication is completed without disconnecting a line with a communication partner device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of performing both data communication and facsimile communication without being charged to a communication partner device on the information providing side.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) data communication means for performing data communication;
Facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication;
(C) selecting means for selecting one of the data communication means and the facsimile communication means and connecting to a predetermined line;
(D) When the selecting means selects the data communication means and performs data communication with the communication partner device via the line,
Facsimile communication request means for sending a signal requesting that the facsimile communication be started without disconnecting the line when the data communication to the communication partner device is completed; and (e) selecting when the data communication is completed. Straightforward means
Selector control means for switching to facsimile communication means
The step and the selecting means control means facsimile the selecting means.
Image information is received within a predetermined time after switching to communication means.
Image information reception determining means for determining whether or not the image has been received;
(G) The image information reception determining means determines the reception of the image information.
When the storage of image information by reception ends.
Predetermined when line is cut and image information reception is not determined
The communication device is provided with a line disconnecting unit that disconnects the line when the time has elapsed .

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the data communication means for performing data communication and the facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication are selectively connected to a line by the selection means, and the selection means is provided. straight but when the data communication by selecting the data communication means is performed, the facsimile communication at the stage where the data communication is completed
A request is made to the communication partner device to start the communication immediately. In the present invention, the communication partner
Facsimile information can be received from the machine at any time
Switch to facsimile communication means
I have to. Therefore, the communication partner device side
Communication prior to the start of facsimile communication such as
To send a signal to inquire whether or not
Without disconnecting the line
Facsimile communication is possible. Of course, this
If facsimile communication is established, the communication partner
There is no need to charge for the communication of the similiar information. Only
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the selecting means control means controls the selecting means.
After switching the stage to facsimile communication
Image information reception determining means for determining whether image information has been received
During this time, the image information reception determining means
When reception is determined, storage of image information by reception ends.
The line was disconnected at the point when the
Sometimes disconnecting the line after a predetermined time
Facsimile communication when switching
The line will be disconnected if the
The situation does not occur so that the line can be used efficiently
It can be carried out.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a communication system using a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 11 of the present embodiment is connected to a switch 13 via a telephone line 12.
, From which a predetermined communication partner device 15 is connected via another telephone line 14.

The communication device 11 includes a facsimile modem 21 for performing facsimile communication and a data modem 22 for performing data communication. Data modem 22
Is connected to a data creation unit 23 for creating transmission data. The control unit 24 that controls each unit of the communication device 11 is connected to the facsimile modem 21, the data modem 22, and the data creation unit 23, and is also connected to the key input unit 25, the selection circuit 26, and the tone signal detection unit 27. In addition, these controls are also performed.

Here, the key input section 25 is provided with a key switch, and is a section for inputting various data by key operation by an operator. The selection circuit 26 is a switch circuit for selectively connecting the facsimile modem 21, the data modem 22, and the tone signal detection unit 27 to the telephone line 12. Further, the tone signal detecting section 27 is provided for the communication partner device 1.
This is a circuit for detecting when a tone signal is sent prior to starting facsimile communication from the side 5. In addition to controlling the switching of the selection circuit 26, the control unit 24 outputs a signal requesting a shift to facsimile communication when data communication is completed, and sends the signal to the communication partner device 15 via the exchange 13. Has become.

FIG. 2 shows a main part of a circuit configuration of a control unit of the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. The control unit 24 is a CPU (central processing unit) 3 having a central function of various controls.
1 is provided. The CPU 31 is a bus 32 such as a data bus.
The ROM 33, the working memory 34, and the input / output interface circuit 35 are connected through the ROM 33. Where RO
M33 is a read-only memory that stores programs for performing various controls. Depending on the communication device, the program can be stored in another storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The working memory 34 is a random access memory for storing data temporarily required for performing various controls. The input / output interface circuit 35 connects each unit such as the facsimile modem 21 shown in FIG. 1 and inputs and outputs data to and from these circuit devices.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of a state in which the communication device of the present embodiment performs data communication with a communication partner device and then performs facsimile communication. The communication device 11 makes a call and connects the line with the communication partner device 15 (step S101). Thereafter, the communication device 11 and the communication partner device 1
The data communication using the code data is performed between 5 (step S102). When data communication is completed,
The control unit 24 requests the communication partner device 15 to shift to facsimile communication (step S103).
The communication partner device 15 accepts this and sends a CNG (Calling Tone) signal to the communication device 11 when the data communication ends.
(Step S104).

Here, the CNG signal (tone signal) is C
This is a ringing tone indicated by the CITT recommendation, and is a signal for confirming whether the communication device 11 can receive facsimile information from the communication partner device 15. If the communication device 11 has no particular problem with reception, a CED (Called Station Id)
entification) signal (step S10)
5). Here, the CED signal is the called station identification signal in the above recommendation. When the CED signal is returned to the communication partner device 15, the facsimile communication is started from the communication partner device 15 to the communication device 11 through a predetermined control procedure.

FIG. 4 shows a state of control when a communication device performs data communication with a communication partner device. The CPU 31 of the communication device shown in FIG. 2 calls the communication partner device 15 (step S201), and instructs the selection circuit 26 to select the data modem 22 (step S202). Then, the data created by the data creation unit 23 is taken out, modulated by the data modem 22, and transmitted to the communication partner device 15 (step S203). At the stage when this data communication ends (step S204; Y), the CPU 31 thereafter determines whether facsimile (FAX) communication is necessary (step S205). If facsimile communication is necessary (Y), a signal requesting a shift to facsimile communication is transmitted to communication partner device 15 (step S20).
6).

Thereafter, the communication device 11 enters a state in which the selection circuit 26 selects the tone signal detection unit 27 and waits for reception of a tone signal (step S207). When the tone signal is sent within a time t ₁ (step S208;
N, S207; Y), the communication partner device executes a predetermined facsimile reception operation (step S209). This will be described below. Then, when the facsimile communication is completed, the line is disconnected (step S210), and the communication with the communication partner device 15 is terminated (end). If it is determined in step S205 that facsimile communication is not necessary (N), the process immediately proceeds to step S210 to disconnect the line. Further, even if not received tone signal within the time t ₁ (step S208; Y), the facsimile communication line disconnection takes place as not performed (step S210). For example, about 35 seconds ± 5 seconds is appropriate as the time t ₁ . Of course, the number can be freely increased or decreased according to the situation to which the communication device 11 is applied.

FIG. 5 shows the facsimile receiving operation in step S209 of FIG. When the tone signal is received, the CPU 31 switches the connection of the selection circuit 26 from the current tone signal detection unit 27 to the facsimile modem 2.
1 (step S301). Then, a CED signal is transmitted to the communication partner device 15 (step S302). Thereafter, the communication device 11 receives image information from the communication partner device 15 by facsimile communication through a predetermined procedure (step S303). When the reception of all the image information has been completed (step S304; Y), the facsimile reception operation ends (end).

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined in advance whether or not the communication device 11 needs to perform facsimile communication, and a request to shift to facsimile communication is made only when necessary. Then, on the condition that a tone signal is transmitted from the communication partner device 15, the communication device 11 switches to facsimile communication and receives facsimile information. Therefore, facsimile communication can be continuously performed on the same line even if there is no operator on the communication device 11 side when the data communication is completed.

Modification

FIG. 6 shows a first modification of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the first modification, when it is determined in step S204 that the data communication has been completed, the communication partner device 15 is immediately requested to shift to the facsimile communication without determining the necessity of the facsimile communication. (Step S206). The subsequent control is the same as in FIG. Therefore, in the first modification, the control procedure is simplified, and the communication partner device 1 is changed.
If there is facsimile information that was about to be transmitted to the communication device 11 on the 5 side, there is an advantage that this can be transmitted. Further, facsimile communication can be continuously performed on the same line even if there is no operator. However, from the viewpoint of the communication apparatus 11, it is inconvenient if facsimile information such as image information required in association with data communication is transmitted, but if other information is charged to itself.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of a communication procedure for solving the problem of the control procedure shown in FIG. In the second modified example, similarly to the first modified example, when it is determined in step S204 that the data communication has been completed, the necessity of the facsimile communication is not immediately determined and the communication partner device 15 is immediately transmitted to the communication partner device 15. A request is made to shift to facsimile communication (step S206). Thereafter, a standby state of reception of tone signals, if the time t ₁ has elapsed without detecting a tone signal (step S208; Y),
The point of disconnecting the line is the same as in the previous embodiment and the first modification.

[0032] In the second modification, when the tone signal is received (step S207; Y), display it in means not shown, from which the operator within a predetermined time t ₂ is a facsimile reception from the key input unit 25 It is monitored whether or not to perform a key input for permitting (step S40)
1, S402). If this time t ₂ within the key input is performed (step S401; Y), the work of facsimile reception is performed (step S209). If not (step S402; Y), the line is disconnected (step S21) in order to prevent a situation in which unnecessary facsimile information is sent to the communication device 11 and billing is performed.
0).

Of course, depending on the communication device 11, there may be a case where reception of facsimile information should be given top priority. In this case, to wait for rejecting key input received in step S401, may be to perform facsimile reception with such key passage of time when the input is not performed t _2.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of a communication procedure according to a third modification of the present invention. In the third modification, after requesting the communication partner device 15 to shift to facsimile communication (step S206), the facsimile modem 21 is immediately selected (step S50).
1). This takes into consideration that the communication partner device 15 may not be a device that has a function of transmitting a tone signal. Thereafter, the communication apparatus 11 determines whether or not facsimile communication is performed by receiving image information at time t _3.
(Step S)
502, S503). If the time t ₃ received within the performed (step S502; Y), stores the image information is performed in a predetermined storage unit (step S504). When all the image information has been stored (Step S505; Y), the line is disconnected (Step S210). Step S50
The same applies to the case where it is determined in ₃ that no image information is received within the time t ₃ .

In the above-described embodiments and modifications, a request to shift to facsimile communication is made always or as needed at the end of data communication. Alternatively, such a request may be transmitted.

In the embodiment and the modification, the selection circuit 2
6 selects the facsimile modem 21, the data modem 22, and the tone signal detector 27 alternatively.
When the tone signal detector 27 is connected to the facsimile modem 21, the selection circuit 26
Obviously, only the switching between 1 and 22 can be performed.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data communication means for performing data communication and the facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication can be selectively connected to the line by the selection means. leave manner, when the selection means data communication by selecting the data communication means is carried out, so as to start the facsimile communication at the stage where the data communication is completed, and to request the communication partner apparatus. And with this, this communication partner
Facsimile information can be received from the machine at any time
Switch to facsimile communication means
The communication partner device side, for example,
Communication is possible prior to the start of such facsimile communication
It has a function to send a signal to inquire whether there is
Fax without disconnecting the line
Millimeter communication is enabled. Of course, this fax
If the millimeter communication is established, the facsimile
There is no charge for communication of information. And claims
In the invention described in (1), the selection means control means sets the selection means to a file.
Within a predetermined time after switching to the X
The image information reception determining means determines whether or not the
During this time, the image information reception determining means
When it is determined that the storage of the image information by reception is completed
If the line is disconnected at the point and the reception of image information is not determined
Decided to disconnect the line after a predetermined time
Facsimile communication is not performed when switching
In this state, the line will be disconnected.
And the efficient and economical use of the line
Can be done.

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system using a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a circuit configuration of a control unit of the communication device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a state in which the communication device of the present embodiment performs data communication with a communication partner device and then performs facsimile communication.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a state of control when a communication device performs data communication with a communication partner device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a facsimile receiving operation in step S209 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of a communication procedure in a first modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a communication procedure in a second modification of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a communication procedure in a third modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 communication device 12, 14 line 13 exchange 15 communication partner device 21 facsimile modem 22 data modem 23 data creation unit 24 control unit 26 selection circuit 27 tone signal detection unit 31 CPU 33 ROM

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A data communication means for performing data communication, a facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication, a selection means for selecting one of the data communication means and the facsimile communication means and connecting to a predetermined line, Selects data communication means and performs data communication with the communication partner device via the line, and starts facsimile communication without disconnecting the line when the data communication with this communication partner device is completed. Facsimile communication requesting means for sending a signal requesting that the data communication be completed, and
Selection means control means for switching to facsimile communication means
When facsimile communication hand said selecting means selecting means control means
Image information is received within a predetermined time after switching to the stage
Image information reception determining means for determining whether or not image information reception has been determined
Is disconnected when the image information is stored
If the reception of the image information is not determined,
A communication device comprising: a line disconnecting unit that disconnects the line when the time has elapsed .