JP3352302B2 - 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 such as a facsimile device, and more particularly to a communication device capable of remote operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, remote operation has been known as a communication-related technique such as facsimile. The remote operation is a technology in which a center station collects communication data from a user-side communication device via a telephone line, processes the collected communication data as necessary, and returns the collected communication data to the user-side communication device. . For example, in a facsimile machine, when the transmission level is changed in accordance with the deterioration of the line state, when a communication failure occurs, when the registration data such as one-touch dial data is changed, or when new registration data is registered, this is used. Remote operation is used.

For example, when changing the transmission level, a center station that has received a request for remote operation from the user side transmits a remote request signal to the facsimile apparatus. In the facsimile machine, the SRA with backup
Facsimile data, which is communication data stored in M, is transmitted to the center station. For facsimile data,
In addition to transmission level data, communication history data and registration data are included.

[0004] The center station changes the transmission level data in the received facsimile data to a required value, and returns all facsimile data including the changed transmission level data to the facsimile apparatus. In the facsimile machine, return facsimile data is downloaded to the SRAM.

[0005]

By the way, it takes some time from transmission of facsimile data to the center station until it is returned (hereinafter referred to as "remote period"). For example, in the case of a simple process such as a change in transmission level data, it takes about 10 to 20 minutes, but it may take an hour or more to reproduce a communication failure that is executed when a communication failure occurs.

On the other hand, during the remote period, the facsimile apparatus operates normally, so that it can communicate with another facsimile apparatus at any time except for a communication failure. Further, registration data can be newly registered regardless of whether or not there is a communication failure. If communication is performed with another facsimile machine or registration data is newly registered during the remote period, the communication result and the newly registered data are stored in the SRAM. Here, when the facsimile data is returned from the center station, all of the returned facsimile data is downloaded to the SRAM, so that the communication result newly registered during the remote period is deleted.

Accordingly, the center station cannot completely grasp the communication history. Therefore, if a communication failure occurs thereafter, there is a possibility that recovery measures cannot be properly executed. Further, the user cannot use the registration data set by the user. In particular, if the registration data returned from the center station differs from the newly registered data, the user may erroneously communicate with a communication partner other than the desired communication partner.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problem and to provide a communication device capable of responding to a remote operation in a communication device capable of preventing erasure of data to be stored by communication data returned from a center station. It is to provide a device.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus, comprising: a storage unit for receiving a remote request signal from a center station via a predetermined communication line; A communication device having a remote correspondence function for transmitting stored communication data to a center station and receiving communication data returned from the center station, and determining whether communication has been requested from the center station. Determining means for transmitting the communication data to the center station, and prohibiting an operation associated with rewriting the storage contents of the storage means until the determining means determines that communication has been requested from the center station. Operation inhibiting means.

In this configuration, after the data transmission, the operation accompanying the rewriting of the storage contents of the storage means is prohibited until a communication request is issued from the center station. The operation accompanying the rewriting of the stored contents is, for example, new registration of registration data or communication with a communication device other than the center station. As described above, the storing of the communication result and other data to be stored in the storage unit is prohibited until the communication data is returned from the center station and written into the storage unit. Therefore, erasure of data to be stored by communication data returned from the center station can be prevented.

[0011] The remote operation is used when the transmission level is changed in accordance with the deterioration of the line state or when a communication failure occurs, as described in the section of the "prior art". . Therefore, taking measures to prohibit communication does not cause much trouble. By the way, the time required from transmission of communication data to the center station to return of the communication data is finite. On the other hand, this finite time may extend for some reason. Therefore, in consideration of such a case, for example, the configuration described in claim 2 may be adopted.

That is, a communication apparatus according to a second aspect is the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein after transmitting the communication data to the center station, the communication apparatus transmits the communication data for a predetermined time without a communication request from the center station. It is characterized by further including release means for releasing the operation prohibition by the operation prohibition means in response to the lapse of time. With this configuration, if the communication data is not returned from the center station until a certain time has elapsed since the communication data was transmitted to the center station, the communication prohibition or the like is released. Therefore, the device can be returned to the communication enabled state at an early stage.

[0013] The "constant time" may be set to a time longer than the maximum time required from transmission of the communication data to the center station to return of the communication data by a predetermined time. In addition, in consideration of the above case, for example, a configuration according to claim 3 may be adopted. That is, the communication device according to claim 3 is the communication device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined time has elapsed without transmitting a communication request from the center station after transmitting the communication data to the center station. , Further comprising a message transmitting means for transmitting a data return request message to the center station.

In this configuration, if the communication data is not returned from the center station until a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication data was transmitted to the center station, a data return request message is transmitted to the center station. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the center station to return data. Therefore, it is possible to return the device to the communicable state at an early stage.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a facsimile communication network including a facsimile apparatus to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this facsimile communication network, a facsimile apparatus 1 and a center station 2 are connected via a public communication line 3 such as a telephone line. The center station 2 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, and is connected to a public communication network 3 via a fax modem 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile machine 1. This facsimile machine 1
Is provided with a reading unit 10 for optically reading a document to be transmitted, for example, and outputting original image data. Reading unit 10
The original image data output from is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 11. The original image data that has been subjected to the image processing is provided to the encoding / decoding device 13 via the CPU 12, and the MH (Modified Huffman) and the MR (Modified READ) are provided.
, READ: Relative Element Address Designate) and the like, and are subjected to compression encoding required for facsimile communication and converted into transmission codes.

This transmission code is given to the modem 14. The modem 14 generates a transmission signal by subjecting the transmission code to a predetermined modulation process. The created transmission signal is transmitted to the public telephone line 3 via the network control unit (NCU) 15. On the other hand, if data is received,
The received signal is provided to the modem 14 via the network control unit 15 and demodulated into a received code. This received code is encoded /
The data is decoded (decompressed) by the decoding device 13 and restored to the original image data. The restored original image data is provided to the recording unit 16, and the received image is recorded on a sheet.

The transmission function unit 17 is for executing line connection control and transmission protocol processing at the time of transmission. The reception function unit 18 is for executing line connection control and reception protocol processing at the time of reception.
Further, the ROM 19 stores programs for various processes executed by the CPU 12. The facsimile machine 1 also includes an operation unit 20. The operation unit 20 includes a numeric keypad 20a for inputting numerical data such as a facsimile number of a communication partner, and a one-touch key 2 for operating when calling the communication partner with one touch.
0b, an abbreviated key 20c for operating when making a call to a communication partner with an abbreviated number, and a start key 20d for instructing start of facsimile communication are arranged.
The above-described key types and the like in the operation unit 20 are merely examples, and keys for other functions may be added as necessary.
The key arrangement may be changed.

The facsimile apparatus 1 further includes an SRA
It has a backup memory 21 functioning as a storage means constituted by M or the like. Facsimile data is stored in the backup memory 21. The facsimile data includes one-touch dial data corresponding to the correspondence between the key number of the one-touch key 20b and the facsimile number, abbreviated dial data corresponding to the correspondence between the abbreviated number and the facsimile number, communication history data, and various setting data. It is included.

The one-touch dial data and the abbreviated dial data can be appropriately updated by the user operating various keys arranged on the operation unit 20. The communication history data is data relating to the communication history of the facsimile machine 1, and is updated each time communication is performed. The various setting data is data including, for example, a transmission level and function data for defining the functions of various keys provided in the facsimile apparatus 1.

This facsimile apparatus 1 is an apparatus which can respond to a remote operation. The remote operation is a technique in which the center station 2 collects facsimile data from the facsimile apparatus 1 via the public communication line 3, processes the collected facsimile data, and returns the processed facsimile data to the facsimile apparatus 1. This remote operation is mainly used when it is not necessary for the service person to go out of the way. For example, the following cases can be considered.

That is, the transmission level may be changed due to the poor line condition of the public communication line 3, or the facsimile data may be changed to the same content as another facsimile apparatus 1 in the same office. In addition, when the facsimile machine 1 is newly installed in the same office, the same facsimile data as the previously set facsimile machine 1 may be registered, or a communication failure may occur.

In such a case, the user requests the center station 2 to perform a remote operation by telephone or the like. The center station 2 executes a remote operation in response to this request. In the following, a period from when facsimile data is transmitted to the center station 2 to when facsimile data is returned is referred to as a “remote period”. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the remote handling process in the facsimile machine 1. When executing the remote operation, the center station 2 transmits a remote request signal to the facsimile machine 1. When the remote request signal is received (step S1), the CPU 12 of the facsimile apparatus 1 transmits all the facsimile data stored in the backup memory 21 to the center station 2 (step S2). More specifically, the one-touch dial data, speed dial data, communication history data, various setting data, and the like are transmitted.

The center station 2 having received the facsimile data executes necessary processing according to the request of the user based on the facsimile data. Specifically, for example, a process of changing the transmission level of the facsimile machine 1 is executed. More specifically, the center station 2 extracts the transmission level data from the setting data in the received facsimile data. Then, the data regarding the extracted transmission level is changed to a necessary value. afterwards,
The facsimile data including the changed transmission level data is returned to the facsimile machine 1.

The center station 2 executes, for example, a recovery process for a communication failure. More specifically, the center station 2 extracts communication history data from the facsimile data. Then, the communication failure is reproduced based on the communication history data. As a result, when the function data causing the communication failure is found, the function data is changed to appropriate data. After that, facsimile data including the changed setting data is returned to the facsimile machine 1.

The remote period, which is the processing time in the center station 2, is about 10 to 20 minutes by a simple process such as a change of the transmission level, and is 1 by a complicated process such as reproduction of a communication failure.
It takes about an hour. The returned facsimile data is downloaded to the backup memory 21. On the other hand, the facsimile apparatus 1 functions normally after transmitting the facsimile data to the center station 2. Therefore,
It can communicate with other facsimile machines and register new registration data. If facsimile data is returned from the center station 2 after communication or after updating the registered data, the newly registered data is deleted.

Therefore, when the facsimile apparatus 1 of the first embodiment transmits the above-mentioned facsimile data, the facsimile apparatus 1 prohibits rewriting of the contents stored in the backup memory 21 in response to the transmission (step S3). Specifically, communication with devices other than the center station 2 is prohibited. More specifically, during transmission, input of various keys of the operation unit 20 is prohibited. At the time of reception, if the communication partner is not the center station 2, the line is forcibly disconnected. As a result, the communication history is not updated.

Further, new registration of registration data such as one-touch dial data and speed dial data is prohibited. This can be achieved by prohibiting various key inputs of the operation unit 20. As a result, the registration data is not updated. The CPU 12 of the facsimile apparatus 1 prohibits rewriting of the storage content of the backup memory 21 and then
It is monitored whether there is a request for communication from the center station 2 (step S4). As a result, when it is determined that there is a request for communication from the center station 2, the prohibition of rewriting the storage contents of the backup memory 21 is released (step S
5). As a result, the facsimile data returned from the center station 2 is downloaded to the backup memory 21. After that, the state shifts to a normal communicable state.

FIG. 3 shows a signal sequence when facsimile data is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1 to the center station 2. When the line is connected, a CNG (Calling tone) is transmitted from the center station 2 on the calling side. CNG
Is received from the facsimile machine 1 and CED (Calling
Station Identification) is transmitted, and NSF (Non-Standard Facilities) including a code indicating whether or not it has a function capable of supporting remote operation is transmitted.

From the center station 2 receiving the NSF, N
An SS (Non-Standard facilities Set-up) is transmitted.
NSS is an optional signal that allows the center station 2 to freely set its contents. In the first embodiment, NS
S includes the fact that it is the center station 2 and the remote request signal. After that, TCF (Training Check)
And the modem 14 of the facsimile machine 1 is adjusted.

The facsimile machine 1 that has received the TCF sends a CFR (Confirmation to Receive).
From the center station 2 receiving this CFR, MSG (Mes
sage) is sent. MSG is a signal including a signal requesting transmission of facsimile data and a signal indicating a storage address of facsimile data. After sending the MSG, the PPS-EOP (Partial Page Signal End Of Page
e), and the facsimile machine 1 is notified that the transmission of the MSG has been completed. The facsimile machine 1 that has received the PPS-EOP sends an MCF (Message C
onfirmation) is sent. At this time, the transmission right is transferred from the calling center station 2 to the called facsimile machine 1.

Facsimile machine 1 to which the transmission right has been delegated
Sends out the NSF again. The center station 2 is an NSC (Non-Standard Facilitator) that designates a specific function from the NSF.
litiesCommand). In the case of the first embodiment, a remote function is specified. After receiving the NSC, the facsimile machine 1 sends out an NSS including a signal indicating the execution of the remote corresponding function, and then sends out a TCF for adjusting the fax modem 4 of the center station 2.

When the reception of the TCF is confirmed by the center station 2, a CFR indicating the reception is transmitted. The facsimile machine 1 receiving the CFR stores the facsimile data of the address designated by the MSG in the backup memory 2.
1 and transmits the facsimile data to the center station 2 via the public communication line 3 (corresponding to the MSG in the figure). When the transmission of the facsimile data is completed, the facsimile apparatus 1 sends out a PPS-EOP indicating that fact. When the MCF which is the response signal is received from the center station 2, DCN (Disconnect) is transmitted to disconnect the line.

FIG. 5 is a signal sequence showing the transmission and reception of signals between the facsimile machine 1 and devices other than the center station 2 during the remote period. When receiving the CNG from the calling device, the facsimile device 1 sends out a CED, which is a response signal to the CNG, and then sends out an NSF indicating that it has a remote response function. The calling device that has received the NSF sends out the NSS. The NSS includes a signal indicating the station type of the own station, such as the signal indicating the center station 2 described above. If the facsimile apparatus 1 receives the NSS, if the station type included in the NSS is other than the center station 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 sends a DCN to forcibly disconnect the line.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
During the remote period, updating of the storage contents of the backup memory 21 is prohibited, so that it is possible to prevent data to be stored such as a communication result from being erased by the returned facsimile data. Therefore, the center station 2 can completely grasp the communication history of the facsimile machine 1. Therefore, recovery measures for a communication failure can be appropriately executed.

Further, since the newly registered data is not erased, the user does not mistake the communication destination with the reply of the facsimile data. Therefore, an easy-to-use facsimile apparatus can be provided. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining remote handling processing in a facsimile apparatus to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the description of FIG. 6, FIG.
Is referred as necessary.

In the remote processing according to the first embodiment, after the transmission of the facsimile data, the update of the stored contents is continued until the center station 2 makes a communication request. The difference is that the response processing is separated from the update prohibition continuation. That is, the center station 2 may not be able to return facsimile data for some reason. In such a case, it is not preferable to give the user inconvenience for a long time due to the convenience of the center station 2.

The facsimile apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has a timer 3 for judging a break of update prohibition continuation.
0 (see FIG. 2). Next, a remote handling process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. After transmitting the facsimile data to the center station 2 in response to the reception of the remote request signal, the CPU 12 prohibits the update of the storage contents of the backup memory 21 (steps T1 to T3). Further, in response to the transmission of the facsimile data, a timeout time _TE is set in the timer 30 (step T4). Timer 30
Gives the counts only the set timeout time T _E, the time-out signal indicating that the timeout time T _E has elapsed CPU 12.

The timeout period T _E is longer than the maximum value of the time required for from the transmission of the facsimile data to the center station 2 to the facsimile data is returned is set. Specifically, since the reproduction of the communication failure is the longest time (about 1 hour) required 2 hours longer by about 1 hour is set as the timeout time T _E than this time.

Thereafter, CPU 12 determines whether or not there is a communication request from center station 2 and whether or not a time-out signal is provided from timer 30 (step T).
5, T6). As a result, if it is determined that a communication request was made before the timeout signal was given, or that a timeout signal was given before the communication request was made, the update prohibition of the stored content is released (step T7). afterwards,
The state shifts to a normal facsimile communication enabled state.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
Since Without timeout period T _E communication request from the center station 2 until elapses facsimile apparatus 1 shifts to normal communication state can be eliminated the disadvantage of the user by the convenience of the center station 2 earlier. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a remote handling process in the facsimile apparatus 1 to which the third embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the description of FIG. 7, FIG. 2 will be referred to as necessary.

In the remote processing according to the first embodiment, after the facsimile data is transmitted, the update prohibition state of the stored contents is continued without performing any special processing until the center station 2 requests a communication. The third embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the remote station prompts the center station 2 to return data. The above-mentioned prompt for data return is specifically achieved by transmitting a message indicating a data return request to the center station 2. In this regard, in the third embodiment, the data reply request message is stored in the ROM 1
9 is stored. In addition, the reminder of the above data reply,
This is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed after facsimile data transmission.
Thus, this facsimile apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, the similar to the second embodiment, when counting only the set timeout time T _E a timeout signal CPU
There is provided a timer 30 (see FIG. 2) for giving to the timer 12.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a remote handling process according to the third embodiment will be described. After transmitting the facsimile data to the center station 2 in response to the reception of the remote request signal, the CPU 12
1 is prohibited (steps U1 to U
3). In response to the transmission of the facsimile data, the timer 30 is the above predetermined time-out period T _E (e.g. T _E to 2 hours 1 hour) to set (step U4).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a communication request from the center station 2 and whether or not a timeout signal has been given from the timer 30 (steps U5 and U6). As a result, if it is determined that the timeout signal is given before the communication request is made (YES in step U6), the CPU 1
2 reads the data reply request message from the ROM 19 (step U7) and sends it to the center station 2 (step U8). Thereafter, the process shifts to step U4 to reset the timeout period _TE to the timer 30. That is,
From the center station 2 until the data is returned, each time the timeout period elapses T _E, the data return request message is transmitted to the center station 2 data reply is prompted.

If it is determined that there is a communication request before the time-out signal is given, the update prohibition state is released (step U9), and the state shifts to a normal facsimile communication enabled state. As described above, according to the third embodiment, if data is not returned from the center station 2 until a certain period of time has elapsed after transmission of facsimile data,
Thereafter, every time a predetermined time elapses, a message requesting a data reply is transmitted to the center station 2, so that the data reply can be promptly received. Therefore, early cancellation of the communication prohibited state or the like can be realized.

In the third embodiment, for example, when the data reply request message is transmitted a predetermined number of times, the update prohibition state is canceled regardless of whether data is returned from the center station 2. You may. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably return the device to the communicable state. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine is described.
The present invention can be widely applied to other communication devices having a remote correspondence function.

In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope described in the claims.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, after transmission of communication data to the center station, updating of the stored contents is prohibited until a communication request is made from the center station, so that data such as a communication result is returned. It can be prevented from being erased by the communication data to be transmitted. Therefore, the center station can completely grasp the communication history. Therefore, recovery measures for a communication failure can be appropriately executed. Further, since the newly registered data is not deleted, the user does not mistakenly communicate with the communication partner when the communication data is returned. Therefore, a user-friendly communication device can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if there is no communication request from the center station until a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of the communication data, the communication prohibited state and the like are forcibly released. The condition can be recovered early. Therefore, the inconvenience of being unable to communicate can be eliminated at an early stage. According to the third aspect of the present invention, if there is no communication request from the center station until a predetermined time elapses after the transmission of the communication data, a data reply request message is transmitted to the center station, so that a data reply is prompted. can do. Therefore, the communicable state can be recovered at an early stage. Therefore, the inconvenience that communication cannot be performed can be eliminated at an early stage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a facsimile network including a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a remote handling process in the facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a signal sequence when facsimile data is transmitted from a facsimile apparatus to a center station.

FIG. 5 is a signal sequence showing transmission and reception of signals between a device other than the center station and a facsimile device during a remote period.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a remote handling process in a facsimile apparatus to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a remote handling process in a facsimile apparatus to which a third embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile machine 2 Center station 3 Public communication line 12 CPU 21 Backup memory

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI H04N 1/32 H04N 1/32 Z H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301E (72) Inventor Toshihiro Mori Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 1-28, Tamazuko Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) The inventor Tetsuya Sugimoto No. 1-228, Takuma Kozo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (56) References JP-A-62-45266 (JP) JP-A-64-44674 (JP, A) JP-A-2-14663 (JP, A) JP-A-5-276260 (JP, A) JP-A-5-327995 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] In response to receiving a remote request signal from a center station via a predetermined communication line, communication data stored in a storage means is transmitted to the center station and returned from the center station. A communication device having a function of receiving communication data, comprising: determination means for determining whether communication has been requested from the center station; and transmitting the communication data to the center station. A communication device, comprising: an operation prohibition unit for prohibiting an operation associated with rewriting the storage content of the storage unit until it is determined that communication has been requested from a station. 2. A release for canceling the operation inhibition by the operation inhibition means in response to a lapse of a predetermined time without a communication request from the center station after transmitting the communication data to the center station. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means. 3. A message for transmitting a data return request message to a center station in response to a lapse of a predetermined time without a communication request from the center station after transmitting the communication data to the center station. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit.