JP4071690B2 - Communication device, off-hook detection method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a communication device (electronic device) such as an image forming apparatus, an off-hook detection method in a modulation / demodulation unit of the communication device, and a function necessary for a computer that controls the modulation / demodulation unit (function related to the present invention). The present invention relates to a program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

Conventionally, image processing devices such as printers, facsimile (FAX) devices, digital copiers, scanner devices, digital multifunction peripherals with communication functions, network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, A communication device with a communication function (communication means) in a metering system for gas, water, electricity, etc. is a managed device, and the management device of the service center (management center) is via a communication line (analog line) such as a public line. Have proposed remote management systems for remotely managing these managed devices.
Alternatively, if the managed device as described above does not have a communication function, or if the function does not have a function for communicating with the management device even if it has a communication function, There has also been proposed a remote management system in which a mediation device having a communication function capable of communicating with a management device is connected, and the management device remotely manages the managed device via a communication line and the mediation device.

In such a remote management system, the management device dials the telephone number of the device user (customer) (the phone number of the line to which the management device is connected) when accessing (transmitting) the communication device. After transmitting the dial signal on the communication line, the communication apparatus can be accessed by transmitting a DTMF signal (ID tone signal) which is a communication identification signal for determining communication from the management apparatus.
By the way, the communication device modulates and demodulates the data in order to perform data communication with the management device (external device) via the communication line with the external device connection unit that connects the external device such as a telephone or a FAX device. Unit (hereinafter also referred to as “modem unit”) and a communication line switching unit that switches the communication line to a modem unit or an external equipment connection unit.
The communication line switching unit includes a DTMF detection circuit (communication identification signal detection means) for detecting a DTMF signal sent from the management device.

Here, the communication line switching unit will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional communication line switching unit. The communication line switching unit in this example has a modem function.
In addition to the modem unit 601, the communication line switching unit 2000 includes a protection circuit 602, an off-hook current detection circuit 2001, a line switching circuit 604, a network control front end unit 605, and a DC supply circuit 606.
The protection circuit 602 is a circuit for reducing noise from the communication lines (lines L1, L2) and protecting the device from noise.

The off-hook current detection circuit 2001 includes an external device connection unit, and detects an off-hook of the external device 105 by detecting a current (off-hook current) flowing in a DC loop formed by the network control front end unit 605. This is a circuit that (detects) and notifies the CPU to that effect.
The line switching circuit 604 is a circuit that switches the communication line to a connection to the modem unit 601 or the external device 105 (the external device connection unit of the off-hook current detection circuit 2001).
The network control front end unit 605 forms a DC loop when the line is seized by hooking off (the lines L1 and L2 of the communication line are DC-closed), and a modem signal (voice band) is formed with the communication line. Signal), and a known function necessary for network control, such as detecting a calling signal (ringing) from a communication line or a DTMF signal.
The DC supply circuit 606 is a circuit that supplies a predetermined DC voltage to the external device 105 when connected to the external device 105 by the line switching circuit 604 (when the external device 105 is disconnected from the communication line). It is.

  In a communication device having such a communication line switching unit (using a line shared with an external device), it is a communication request (call) to itself or a communication request to an external device. When receiving and judging a DTMF signal sent out by a management apparatus which is a communication partner, first, when there is an incoming call, the external side device goes off-hook, and the detection of the DTMF signal is started using this as a trigger. Although detection of DTMF may be started by ringing as a trigger, some extension exchanges may use a ringing signal for 1300 Hz ringing incoming. In that case, an incoming call cannot be detected only by normal 16 Hz ringing detection.

In such a communication apparatus, as described above, an off-hook current detection circuit for detecting a loop current flowing by off-hook is mounted for off-hook detection by an external device. However, since the off-hook current detection circuit is hardware, the cost is increased by the amount provided.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a communication device having a communication line switching unit enables off-hook detection by an external device without using an off-hook current detection circuit, thereby reducing costs. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention records a communication device, an off-hook detection method in a modulation / demodulation unit of the communication device, a program for realizing a function necessary for a computer controlling the modulation / demodulation unit, and the program A computer-readable recording medium is provided.

A communication apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a modem for modulating / demodulating data to perform data communication with the external apparatus via a communication line with an external apparatus connecting section for connecting an external apparatus such as a telephone or a facsimile machine. A line voltage measuring means for measuring the line voltage of the communication line, and comparing the measured value by the means with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold value. Means and state determination means for determining whether or not the external apparatus is in an off-hook state based on a comparison result by the means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the modulation / demodulation unit is configured to set the off-hook detection threshold value based on a measured value by the line voltage measuring means and a predetermined voltage correction value. Off-hook detection threshold value determining means for determining (calculating) is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the modulation / demodulation unit is provided with voltage correction value determining means for determining the voltage correction value based on the communication line (switch). .
A communication device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the communication line is connected to the modulation / demodulation unit or an external equipment connection unit based on a determination result by the state determination unit. Communication line switching means is provided for switching (for example, switching the communication line to connection to the modem unit when it is determined to be in an off-hook state).

The off-hook detection method according to the invention of claim 5 modulates and demodulates the data in order to perform data communication with the external device via the communication line with the external device connection unit for connecting the external device such as a telephone or a facsimile machine. An off-hook detection method in a communication device having a modem unit, wherein the modem unit measures the line voltage of the communication line, compares the measured value with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold, and compares By determining whether or not the external equipment is in an off-hook state based on the result, the off-hook of the external equipment is detected.
An off-hook detection method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the off-hook detection method according to the fifth aspect, wherein the modulation / demodulation unit determines the off-hook detection threshold based on the measured value and a predetermined voltage correction value. It is.

An off-hook detection method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the off-hook detection method according to the sixth aspect, wherein the modem unit determines the voltage correction value based on the communication line.
The program according to the invention of claim 8 includes an external equipment connection section for connecting an external equipment such as a telephone or a facsimile machine, and a modulation / demodulation section for modulating / demodulating the data to perform data communication with the external apparatus via a communication line. A line voltage measuring function for measuring the line voltage of the communication line, and a comparison function for comparing a measured value obtained by the function with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold value. And a state determination function for determining whether or not the external device is in an off-hook state based on a comparison result of the function.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program according to the eighth aspect, wherein the off-hook detection threshold value is determined by the computer based on a measurement value obtained by the line voltage measurement function and a predetermined voltage correction value. This is a program for realizing a detection threshold value determining function.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing the computer to realize a voltage correction value determination function for determining the voltage correction value based on the communication line.
A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects is recorded.

  According to the present invention, a communication device having a communication line switching unit can detect off-hook by an external device without using an off-hook current detection circuit, thereby reducing costs.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
First, a configuration example of a remote management system using a communication device (electronic device) according to the present invention as a managed device will be described.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the remote management system. Note that the network described below does not include a public line.

  This remote management system includes image processing devices such as printers, fax machines, digital copiers, scanners, and digital multifunction devices, network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, gas, water, electricity, etc. This is a remote management system in which a communication device which is an electronic device having a communication function in the weighing system is a managed device 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f). As an external device connected to the managed device 10 (as viewed from the managed device side), an intermediary device that is a remote management mediation device connected to the managed device 10 via a network such as a LAN (local area network). 101 (101a, 101b, 101c), and further includes a management device 102 functioning as a server device connected via a public line (telephone line) 103 or the Internet 112 including the intermediary device 101 and the exchange 106 (106a, 101b), The management device 102 can centrally and remotely manage each managed device 10 via the mediation device 101. The managed device 10 and the intermediary device 101 are installed in an office on the device user (user) side, and the management device 102 is installed in a service center (management center).

Here, the service remotely managed by the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112 is referred to as NRS. In order to realize this NRS, an intermediary device 101 and a managed device 10 in which software corresponding to the NRS is installed are connected to a network on the device user side. A service remotely managed by the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103 is called CSS (customer support system). Note that a dedicated line may be used instead of the public line 103.
The public line 103 (or dedicated line) includes an analog line, an ADSL line, a digital line (ISDN line), a fixed telephone line such as a fiber optic line, and a mobile telephone line such as a mobile phone line and a PHS line.

The intermediary device 101 and the managed device 10 have various hierarchical structures depending on the usage environment.
For example, in the installation environment A shown in FIG. 1, the intermediary device 101a capable of establishing a direct connection with the management device 102 using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) has a simple hierarchical structure with the managed devices 10a and 10b. However, in the installation environment B shown in the figure, since four managed devices 10 are installed, the load increases only by installing one intermediary device 101. Therefore, the intermediary device 101b that can establish a direct connection with the management device 102 by HTTP follows not only the managed devices 10c and 10d but also another intermediary device 101c, and the intermediary device 101c uses the managed devices 10e and 10f. Furthermore, a hierarchical structure is formed in which it can be followed. In this case, the information issued from the management device 102 for remotely managing the managed devices 10e and 10f is managed by the managed device 10e or 10f via the mediation device 101b and the mediation device 101c which is a lower node. Will be reached.

Further, as in the installation environment C, managed devices with an intermediary function (hereinafter also simply referred to as “managed devices”) 11a and 11b in which the managed device 10 is also provided with the functions of the intermediary device 101 are separately provided as intermediary devices. The management apparatus 102 may be connected via the public line 103 or the Internet 112 including the exchange 106 (106c) without being interposed.
Although not shown, a managed device equivalent to the managed device 10 can be further connected to the lower level of the managed device 11 with a mediation function.
The dial-up server 111 is a relay device, and connects the management device 102 and the mediation device 101 or the managed device 11 so that they can communicate with each other via the public line 103 (may be a dedicated line) and the Internet 112. For example, in response to a request (communication request with the management apparatus 102) from the intermediary apparatus 101 or the managed apparatus 10, negotiation (information exchange regarding communication) is performed with the request source via the public line 103, and the public line 103 and the Internet 112 are passed. Then, the request source and the management apparatus 102 are communicably connected (the communication between the request source and the management apparatus 102 is made possible).

In each of the installation environments A, B, and C, a firewall 104 (104a, 104b, 104c) is installed in consideration of security. The firewall 104 is configured by a proxy server.
Further, a terminal device 107 (see FIG. 7) such as a personal computer or another electronic device (external device) can be connected to each managed device 10 or 11 via a network.
Furthermore, each intermediary device 101 (101a, 101b) and each managed device 11 (11a, 11b) are connected to an external side device 105 (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d) such as a telephone or a FAX device, respectively. Yes. In this example, the external apparatus 105 is not connected to the mediation device 101c, because the public line 103 is not connected to the mediation device 101c.

In such a remote management system, the mediation apparatus 101 has an application program for control management of the managed apparatus 10 connected thereto.
The management apparatus 102 is implemented with an application program for performing control management of each mediation apparatus 101 and further performing control management of the managed apparatus 10 via the mediation apparatus 101. Then, each of these nodes in the remote management system including the managed device 10 transmits a “request” which is a request for processing for a method of the application program to be implemented by RPC (remote procedure call). The “response” that is the result of the processed processing can be acquired.

That is, the intermediary device 101 or the managed device 10 connected thereto can generate a request to the management device 102 and pass it to the management device 102 to obtain a response to this request, while the management device 102 A request to the mediating apparatus 101 is generated and delivered to the mediating apparatus 101, and a response to the request can be acquired. This request includes causing the mediation device 101 to transmit various requests to the managed device 10 and obtaining a response from the managed device 10 via the mediation device 101.
In order to realize RPC, known protocols (communication standards) such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), COM (Component Object Model), CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture), etc. , Technology, specifications, etc. can be used.

The transmission / reception data transmission / reception model is shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG.
(A) is a case where a request to the management apparatus 102 has occurred in the managed apparatus 10. In this case, the managed device 10 generates a managed device-side request “a”, and the management device 102 that has received this request via the mediation device 101 returns a response “a” to this request. A case where there are a plurality of mediation apparatuses 101 shown in the figure can also be assumed (installation environment B shown in FIG. 1). Note that (A) shows a case in which not only the response a but also a response delay notification a ′ is returned. When the management apparatus 102 receives a managed apparatus side request via the intermediary apparatus 101 and determines that the response to the request cannot be returned immediately, it notifies the response delay notification and temporarily disconnects the connection state. This is because the response to the request is delivered again at the next connection.
(B) is a case where a request for the managed device 10 has occurred in the management device 102. In this case, the management apparatus 102 generates a management apparatus side request b, and the managed apparatus 10 that has received the request via the mediation apparatus 101 returns a response b to the request. Even in the case of (B), the response delay notification b ′ is returned in the same manner as in the case of (A) when the response cannot be returned immediately.

Next, the physical configuration of the management apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The management apparatus 102 includes a control device including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a database, a modem, a proxy server, and the like. Has been. The configuration will be described later in detail.
Furthermore, the physical configuration of the mediation apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The mediation apparatus 101 is configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, a PHY (physical media interface), and the like. The configuration will be described later in detail.
In addition, for the managed device 11 with an intermediary function, these units may be simply added to the managed device 10 in order to realize the function of the intermediary device 101, but the CPU, ROM, and RAM provided in the managed device 10 The functions of the intermediary device 101 can be realized by causing the CPU to execute appropriate applications and program modules using hardware resources such as the above.

Hereinafter, as a more specific example of the remote management system shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus management system that is a remote management system using an image forming apparatus that is an electronic apparatus according to the present invention as a managed apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus management system. In FIG. The only difference from FIG. 1 is that the configuration is changed to 110 (also referred to as “image forming apparatus”), and thus the description of the overall configuration of the system is omitted.
The image forming apparatus 100 is a digital multi-function peripheral having functions such as copying, facsimile, and scanner, and a function for communicating with an external apparatus, and is equipped with an application program for providing services related to these functions. It is. The image forming apparatus with a mediation function 110 is obtained by adding the functions of the mediation apparatus 101 to the image forming apparatus 100.

A physical configuration of such an image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 202, an SDRAM 203, a flash memory (nonvolatile memory) 204, an NRS memory 205, a PHY (physical media interface) 206, an operation unit 207, and an HDD (hard disk drive). ) 208, modem 211, PI (personal interface) 212, FCU (fax control unit) 213, USB (Universal Serial Bus) 214, IEEE 1394 interface 215, plotter / scanner engine 216, and peripheral unit 217. Each of these units is a hardware resource in the image forming apparatus 100. Each scanner engine / plotter engine 216, which is an engine unit, includes a sensor for detecting an event such as an abnormality.

The CPU 201 is arithmetic processing means that performs data processing (control of each function) via the ASIC 202.
The ASIC 202 is a multi-function device board including a CPU I / F interface, an SDRAM interface, a local bus interface, a PCI interface, a MAC (Media Access Controller), an HDD interface, and the like, and aims to share a device to be controlled by the CPU 201. This is to support the development of applications (application software) from the viewpoint of architecture.
The SDRAM 203 is a program memory that stores various programs including an OS (operating system), a main memory that is used as a work memory used when the CPU 201 performs data processing, and the like. In place of the SDRAM 203, a DRAM or SRAM may be used.

  The flash memory 204 includes a boot loader (boot program) for starting the image forming apparatus 100, a fixed program memory for storing an OS image, an application memory for storing each application, a service memory for storing each service (service software), and firmware. Data memory for storing firmware memory to be stored, address (network address), model number, and counter information (billing counter data) that are identification information of a device (image forming apparatus 100) that is a target for monitoring and managing the operation status A non-volatile memory (non-volatile storage means) that is used as a storage device, etc., and retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. Instead of the flash memory 204, a nonvolatile RAM in which a backup circuit using a RAM and a battery is integrated, or another nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used.

The NRS memory 205 is a non-volatile memory that stores an NRS described later, and an NRS function can be added as an option.
The PHY 206 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a network.
The operation unit 207 is an operation unit having various operation keys (also referred to as operation switches or operation buttons) and an LCD or CRT character display.
The HDD 208 is a non-volatile storage means (recording medium) that stores and saves data regardless of whether the power is on or off. The HDD 208 can store the above-described program in the flash memory 204 and other data. The HDD 208 can also be used as a farm memory.
The modem 211 is a modulation / demodulation unit (modulation / demodulation means), and when data is transmitted to the outside (such as the management apparatus 102) via the public line 103, the modem 211 modulates the data so that it can be sent to the public line. In addition, when modulated data sent from the management apparatus 102 is received, the data is demodulated.

The PI 212 includes an interface conforming to the RS485 standard, and is connected to a public line via a line adapter (not shown).
The FCU 213 controls communication with an external apparatus such as an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction peripheral having a FAX apparatus or a modem function (FAX communication function) and a management apparatus 102 via a public line.
Here, when the power is turned on (power is turned on), the CPU 201 activates the boot loader in the flash memory 204 via the ASIC 202, reads the OS image in the flash memory 204 according to the boot loader, and loads it into the SDRAM 203 for use. Deploy to any OS. When the OS deployment is completed, the OS is started. After that, various functions can be realized by reading programs such as applications and services in the flash memory 204 or NRS in the NRS memory 205 as needed, loading them into the SDRAM 203, expanding them, and starting them. it can.

Next, the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 (or 110) will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.
The software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 includes an application module layer, a service module layer, and a general-purpose OS layer. The programs constituting the software are stored in the flash memory 204 and the NRS memory 205, read as necessary, and executed by the CPU 201. The CPU 201 can implement various functions according to the present invention by executing these programs as necessary.
The application module layer software is configured by a program for causing the CPU 201 to function as a plurality of application control means (process execution means) that operate hardware resources to realize a predetermined function. The CPU 201 is interposed between the hardware resource and each application control unit, and receives an operation request for the hardware resource from a plurality of application control units, arbitrates the operation request, and controls the execution of the operation based on the operation request. It is comprised by the program for functioning as a service control means (process execution means) which performs.

Of these functions, a method for realizing a function related to communication with the management apparatus 102 (function as a communication unit) differs between the image forming apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 110. In other words, since the image forming apparatus 110 has the function of the mediation apparatus 101, the function related to the communication with the management apparatus 102 can be realized by the CPU 201 executing the corresponding program. In the case of the image forming apparatus 100, functions related to communication with the management apparatus 102 can be realized by the CPU 201 executing a corresponding program and using the mediation apparatus 101.
The service module layer includes an operation control service (OCS) 300, an engine control service (ECS) 301, a memory control service (MCS) 302, a network control service (NCS) 303, a fax control service (FCS) 304, a system control service ( SCS) 306, system resource manager (SRM) 307, image memory handler (IMH) 308, delivery control service (DCS) 316, and user control service (UCS) 317 are implemented. The application module layer includes an NRS application (hereinafter simply referred to as “NRS”) 305, a CSS application (hereinafter simply referred to as “CSS”) 315, a copy application 309, a fax application 310, a printer application 311, a scanner application 312, and a net file. An application 313 and a web application 314 are installed. Furthermore, a general-purpose OS 320 is mounted on the general-purpose OS layer.

These will be described in further detail.
The OCS 300 is a module that controls the operation unit 207.
The ECS 301 is a module that controls engine units such as hardware resources.
The MCS 302 is a module that performs memory control. For example, the MCS 302 acquires and releases an image memory, uses the HDD 208, and the like.
The NCS 303 is a module that performs mediation between the network and each application program in the application module layer.
The FCS 304 is a module that performs facsimile transmission / reception, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and the like.

The SCS 306 is a module that performs start management and end management of each application program in the application module layer according to the content of the command.
The SRM 307 is a module that controls the system and manages resources.
The IMH 308 is a module that manages a memory for temporarily storing image data.
The DCS 316 is a module for transmitting / receiving an image file or the like stored in the HDD 208 or the SDRAM 203 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
The UCS 317 is a module that manages user information such as destination information and address information registered by a device user (user).

The NRS 305 is an application program that summarizes functions related to remote management (functions related to communication with the management apparatus 102) by the NRS method using the network, such as data conversion when data is transmitted and received via the network.
The CSS 315 is an application program that summarizes functions related to remote management by the CSS method using the public line (functions related to communication with the management apparatus 102) such as data conversion when data is transmitted and received via the public line. is there.
The copy application 309 is an application program for realizing a copy service.
The fax application 310 is an application program for realizing a fax service.

The printer application 311 is an application program for realizing a printer service.
The scanner application 312 is an application program for realizing a scanner service.
The net file application 313 is an application program for realizing a net file service.
The web application 314 is an application program for realizing a web service.
The general-purpose OS 320 can use an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), or Windows (registered trademark). The operating system manages the processing for executing the service module layer and application module layer programs. Here, if UNIX or Linux is used, the safety due to open source is ensured, and there are advantages such as easy source code acquisition.

Next, the internal configuration of the NRS module included in the software configuration in the image forming apparatus 100 described above will be further described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the NRS 305. As shown in the figure, the NRS 305 performs processing between the SCS 306 and the NCS 303. The web server function unit 500 performs response processing related to a request received from the outside. The request here may be a SOAP request by SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) described in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format which is a structured language, for example. The web client function unit 501 performs processing for issuing an external request. The libsoap 502 is a library that processes SOAP, and the libxml 503 is a library that processes data described in the XML format. Also, libwwww 504 is a library that processes HTTP, and libgw_ncs 505 is a library that performs processing with the NCS 303.

Next, the physical configuration of the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the mediation apparatus 101.
As described above, this intermediary device 101 is installed in the office of the device user, etc., and includes a CPU 52, SDRAM 53, flash memory 54 (nonvolatile memory), RTC (real time clock circuit which is an internal clock) 55, Op. -Port (operation unit connection port) 56, PHY 57, communication line switching unit 58 having a modem function, HDD control unit 59, expansion I / F 60, RS232 I / F 61, RS485 I / F 62, HDD 63, and the like. The mediation apparatus 101 is connected to the CE terminal 107 and the image forming apparatus 100 on the network via the PHY 57. The image forming apparatus 100 can also be connected via the RS232 I / F 61 and the RS485 I / F 62, but this I / F is not used here. As in the case of the image forming apparatus 100, a DRAM or SRAM may be used instead of the SDRAM 53. Further, instead of the flash memory 54, another nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used.

Next, the software configuration of the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the mediation apparatus 101.
As shown in FIG. 8, the software in the mediation apparatus 101 is composed of three layers: an application layer 70, a service layer 80, and a protocol layer 90. The programs constituting these software are stored in the HDD 63, the SDRAM 53, or the flash memory 54, read as necessary, and executed by the CPU 52. The CPU 52 can implement various functions by executing these programs as necessary and controlling the apparatus.

In this software, the application layer 70 has a device control method group 71 and an NRS application method group 72.
The device control method group 71 includes methods for management object information setting, device setting, firmware update, polling setting change, log output, and start processing, and is a managed device including processing according to the features of the present invention. This is a program for performing information management, communication settings, and the like of the image forming apparatus 100.
The NRS application method group 72 includes log collection, firmware download, device command execution, device setting change, supply notification, abnormality notification, device activation / introduction, and device life / death confirmation methods, and various notifications from the image forming apparatus 100. Or a request for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to perform an operation in accordance with a request from the management apparatus 102.

Next, the service layer 80 includes a security service 81, a connection device communication service 82, a management device communication service 83, and a scheduler service 84.
The security service 81 is a module that generates and executes a job for preventing or preventing unauthorized outflow of internal information or the like to the outside.
The connection-device communication service 82 searches for a device that is a target of information acquisition, manages connection with the target device, transmits / receives a file, in order to exchange information with a network connection device connected to the mediation apparatus 101. This module generates and executes jobs such as parameter management and APL management.
The management apparatus communication service 83 is a module that generates and executes jobs such as command reception, file transmission / reception, information request, and information transmission (information notification) with the management apparatus 102.

The scheduler service 84 is a module that deploys a remote control application based on predetermined set time information.
The next protocol layer 90 includes methods for generating and executing a job for exchanging information using a protocol corresponding to an information transmission / reception target. In other words, it can control SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP, HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Security), FTP, etc. used as its lower protocols so that it can be widely applied to the communication environment of network connected devices via the network. Have a good method.

Next, the functional configuration of the mediation apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a main part of the mediation apparatus 101. Parts corresponding to those in FIG.
In addition to the modem unit 601, the communication line switching unit 58 of the mediation apparatus 101 includes a protection circuit 602, a line switching circuit 604, a network control front end unit 605, a DC supply circuit 606, and an external side device connection unit 607. The off-hook current detection circuit 2001 provided in the conventional communication line switching unit 2000 shown in FIG. 18 is not provided.
The modem unit 601 modulates and demodulates data in order to perform data communication with the management device 102 (external device) via the public line 103 (communication line). The control unit 601a and the storage unit 601b according to the present invention It has. The modem unit 601 is configured by an LSI having a digital single processor (DSP) as a core, for example.

The control unit 601a transmits and receives information to and from the CPU 52 and the network control front end unit 605 of the mediation apparatus 101.
The storage unit 601b is for holding necessary information such as commands in a predetermined area, and corresponds to, for example, a ROM or a RAM.
The line switching circuit 604 connects the lines (connection lines with the exchange 106 of the public line 103) L1 and L2 to the modem unit 601 or the external equipment 105 (external equipment connection section 607) in accordance with a connection switching command from the CPU 52. It is a circuit to switch to.
The DC supply circuit 606 is a circuit that supplies a predetermined DC voltage to the external device 105 when the lines L1 and L2 are disconnected from the external device 105 by the line switching circuit 604.

Here, the DC supply circuit 606 is connected to the external side device 105 disconnected from the lines L1 and L2 by the line switching circuit 604 during communication of the mediation apparatus 101 (while the mediation apparatus 101 is using the line). Therefore, a predetermined DC voltage (for example, DC 24V) is supplied to the external device 105. When the external device 105 is off-hooked in this state, a predetermined DC current flows between the external device 105 and the DC current is detected and the signal FHKB to the CPU 52 is changed (activated).
When the signal FHKB becomes active, the CPU 52 recognizes that the external device 105 is off-hook during the communication of the mediation apparatus 101. Therefore, the modem unit 601 and the network control front end unit 605 force the call in communication. Disconnect, and a few seconds later, a connection switching command is sent to the line switching circuit 604 so that the external device 105 is connected to the line, thereby switching the line.

The storage unit 701 stores and holds data and programs, and corresponds to the SDRAM 53, the flash memory 54, the HDD 63, and the like in FIG. It does not matter whether the storage unit 701 is physically single or plural. The storage unit 701 stores a connection switching command and communication identification information (monitoring side identification information) according to the present invention in a predetermined area. The “connection switching command” is a command for switching the lines L1 and L2 (connection lines L1 and L2 with the exchange 106 of the public line 103) to connection to the modem unit 601 or the external apparatus 105. “Communication identification information” is identification information unique to the management apparatus 102 for determining communication from the management apparatus 102, and corresponds to, for example, a decoded DTMF signal (for example, a combination of single tones).
The communication unit 702 transmits and receives information, and corresponds to a communication interface such as PHY57, RS232I / F61, and RS485I / F62 in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the communication line switching unit 58 of the mediation apparatus 101.
The modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 is configured by, for example, an LSI having a digital single processor (DSP) as a core, and the control unit 601a in FIG. 9 includes a line voltage measurement unit 801, a comparison determination unit 803, and an off-hook. The function of the state notification unit 804 and the function of the detection threshold value storage unit 802 are realized by the storage unit 601b.
The line voltage measurement unit 801 is a line voltage measurement unit that measures the line voltage, which is the voltage of the lines L1 and L2, via the network control front end unit 605 and the protection circuit 602.
The detection threshold value storage unit 802 is a detection threshold value storage unit that stores a predetermined off-hook detection threshold value in a predetermined area. The detection threshold value storage unit 802 also stores a voltage correction value described later.

The comparison determination unit 803 compares the measurement value by the line voltage measurement unit 801 with the off-hook detection threshold value in the detection threshold value storage unit 802, and based on the comparison result, whether the external device 105 is in the off-hook state. It is a means for determining whether or not, and comprises a comparison means and a state determination means.
The off-hook state notification unit 804 notifies the CPU 52 of the fact when the comparison determination unit 803 determines that the external side device 105 is in the off-hook state (when the off-hook state of the external side device 105 is detected). Means.
Although not shown in the figure, the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 determines (calculates) an off-hook detection threshold value based on a measurement value obtained by the line voltage measurement unit 801 and a predetermined voltage correction value. Functions of an off-hook detection threshold value determination unit (off-hook detection threshold value determination unit) and a voltage correction value determination unit (voltage correction value determination unit) that determines the voltage correction value based on the exchange 106 of the public line 103. I have.

Here, the “off-hook detection threshold value” is a value used to determine whether or not the external device 105 is in an off-hook state, and is determined in advance as a measurement value by the line voltage measurement unit 801 during on-hook. The voltage value is calculated (determined) based on the corrected voltage value. Therefore, the calculated off-hook detection threshold value is accurate. Therefore, the control unit 601a (comparison / determination unit 803) compares the off-hook detection threshold value with the measurement value obtained by the line voltage measurement unit 801 to accurately determine whether or not the external device 105 is in the off-hook state. Can be determined.
“Off-hook detection threshold value” is, for example, a value obtained by dividing line voltage measurement unit 801 during on-hook (line voltage value VL between connection lines L1 and L2 with switch 106 of public line 103) divided by “2”. The voltage correction value α is added to (VL / 2 + α).

Therefore, when VL = 48V and α = 3V, it becomes 27V, and when VL = 24V and α = 3V, it becomes 15V. In this case, for example, when the off-hook detection threshold is 27V, the comparison determination unit 803 has a line voltage value VL of 27V or less. When the off-hook detection threshold is 15V, the comparison determination unit 803 has a line voltage value VL of 15V or less. It is determined that the external side device 105 is in an off-hook state (detects off hook of the external side device 105).
On the other hand, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 is a microcomputer that controls the entire mediation apparatus 101 in an integrated manner, and based on the determination result by the comparison determination unit 803 of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58, The line switching circuit 604 is controlled by using the connection switching command, and the line is switched to the connection to the modem unit 601 or the external device 105 (for example, the line is switched to the connection to the modem unit 601 when it is determined to be in the off-hook state). ) Realize the function of the line switching unit (communication line switching means).
The above-described formula for calculating the off-hook detection threshold and the voltage correction value are examples, and can be arbitrarily set according to the use environment. However, the voltage correction value is determined by the characteristics of the exchange 106.

Next, the physical configuration of the management apparatus 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a physical configuration of the management apparatus 102.
The management device 102 includes a modem 1001, a communication terminal 1002, a proxy server 1003, an operator terminal 1004, a database 1005, a control device 1006, and the like.
The modem 1001 communicates with the mediating apparatus 101 or the image forming apparatus 110 on the device user side (for example, a user destination using the image forming apparatus 100) via the public line 103, and modulates and demodulates data to be transmitted and received. . The modem 601 and a communication terminal 1002, which will be described later, serve as communication means.
The communication terminal 1002 controls communication by the modem 1001.
The proxy server 1003 performs communication and security management with the mediation apparatus 101 or the image forming apparatus 110 on the device user side via the Internet 112. The proxy server 1003 also functions as a communication unit.

The operator terminal 1004 accepts input of various data by an operation on an input unit such as a keyboard or a pointing device (such as a mouse) by an operator.
The database 1005 exists in a storage device such as a hard disk device of a server (not shown), receives data from the mediation device 101 and the image forming device 110 on each device user side, data input from the operator terminal 1004, programs, and the like The various data are stored. A predetermined area of the database 1005 has a parameter storage area. This parameter storage area stores various parameters including line parameters.
The control device 1006 includes a microcomputer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire management device 102 in an integrated manner. The CPU operates in accordance with the above program (executes the above program as needed), and various functions are realized by selectively using the modem 1001, the communication terminal 1002, or the proxy server 1003 as necessary. can do.

Based on the above-described configuration, an example of a communication sequence at the time of data transmission / reception performed in the image forming apparatus management system in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the processing by the SCS 306 and NRS 305 described below is actually executed by the CPU 201 of FIG. 4 operating according to those programs, but for the sake of explanation, these programs execute processing.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence at the time of data transmission / reception performed between the management apparatus 102, the mediation apparatus 101, and the image forming apparatus 100.

In this example, first, the mediation apparatus 101 polls the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112 (inquiry whether there is a transmission request) (S601). That is, it generates a SOAP message of polling information to which an identifier that is its own identification information is added (converts the polling information to an XML format that is a structured language format), and an HTTP message (including the SOAP message) based on the SOAP message. HTTP message) is generated and transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112.
When the management apparatus 102 receives the HTTP message (HTTP request) from the mediation apparatus 101, the management apparatus 102 generates an HTTP message (HTTP response) including a SOAP message of information indicating a charging counter (counter information) acquisition request, and transmits it to the Internet 112. The message is transmitted to the corresponding intermediary device 101 (source of the received SOAP message) via the route (S602). At this time, the corresponding intermediary device 101 is recognized based on the identifier added to the SOAP message in the received HTTP message.

When the intermediary device 101 receives the HTTP message from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 generates a SOAP message of information indicating a charging counter acquisition request based on the HTTP message, and the image forming device connected to itself via the network It transmits to 100 NRSs 305 (S603).
The NRS 305 notifies the SCS 306 of a charging counter acquisition request described in the SOAP message received from the mediation apparatus 101 (S604).
Upon receiving the charge counter acquisition request notification from the NRS 305, the SCS 306 reads the charge counter data stored in the flash memory 204 (or HDD 208) (S605). Then, the read accounting counter data (response data) is delivered to the NRS 305 (S606).

When the NRS 305 receives billing counter data (counter information indicating the counter value) from the SCS 306, the NRS 305 generates a SOAP message of the data (converts the received data into an XML format that is a structured language format), and converts it into a network. The information is transmitted to the mediation apparatus 101 via (S607).
When the mediation apparatus 101 receives the SOAP message of the billing counter data from the NRS 305, the mediation apparatus 101 generates an HTTP message including the SOAP message and transmits it to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112 (S608).
Thus, data transmission / reception is performed by the communication sequence.

Next, unlike FIG. 12, an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the management apparatus 102 via the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the management apparatus 102.
In this example, the OCS 300 first notifies the SCS 306 that a user call key (not shown) on the operation unit 207 has been pressed (S701).
Upon receiving notification from the OCS 300 that the user call key has been pressed, the SCS 306 notifies the NRS 305 of a user call request (S702).

Upon receiving the user call request notification from the SCS 306, the NRS 305 generates a SOAP message of user call information notifying the user call and transmits it to the mediation apparatus 101 via the network (S703).
When the mediation device 101 receives the SOAP message of the user call information from the NRS 305, the mediation device 101 adds an identifier, which is its own identification information, to the SOAP message, and further generates an HTTP message including the SOAP message. A user call is made to 102. That is, an HTTP message including a SOAP message of user call information with its own identifier added is reported to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112 (S704). Here, the pattern after the process of step S704 will be described separately in the following (A) to (C).

First, in (A), the management apparatus 102 receives an HTTP message including a SOAP message of user call information from the mediation apparatus 101 of the user destination (device user), and when the reception ends normally, If the call result indicating that the user call was successful is not completed normally (abnormally ended), a SOAP message with information indicating the call result indicating that the user call has failed is displayed. An HTTP message including the message is generated and transmitted to the mediating apparatus 101 that is the notification source via the Internet 112 (S705).
When the intermediary device 101 receives an HTTP message including a SOAP message indicating information on the call result from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 generates a SOAP message indicating information on the call result based on the HTTP message, and sends it to the user call via the network. The image is transmitted to the NRS 305 of the image forming apparatus 100 whose key is pressed (S706).

When the NRS 305 receives a SOAP message of information indicating the call result from the mediation apparatus 101, the NRS 305 interprets (determines) the call result indicated by the SOAP message and notifies the SCS 306 (S707).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result, it delivers it to the OCS 300.
When the OCS 300 receives the call result from the SCS 306, the OCS 300 displays the content, that is, a message indicating whether the user call is successful or unsuccessful on the character display on the operation unit 207 (S708).

Next, in (B), when the intermediary device 101 determines that there is no response from the management device 102 after a predetermined time (a predetermined time set in advance), a call result indicating that the user call has failed is displayed. A SOAP message with the indicated information is generated and transmitted to the NRS 305 (S709).
When the NRS 305 receives a SOAP message having information indicating a call result indicating failure, the NRS 305 interprets the call result indicating failure described in the SOAP message and notifies the SCS 306 (S710).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result from the NRS 305, the SCS 306 delivers it to the OCS 300.

When the OCS 300 receives the call result from the SCS 306, the OCS 300 displays the content, that is, a message indicating that the user call has failed on the character display on the operation unit 207 (S711).
Next, in (C), when the NRS 305 determines that there is no response from the mediation apparatus 101 even after the specified time has elapsed, the NRS 305 notifies the SCS 306 of a call result indicating that the user call has failed (S712).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result from the NRS 305, the SCS 306 delivers it to the OCS 300.
When the OCS 300 receives the call result from the SCS 306, the OCS 300 displays the content, that is, a message indicating that the user call has failed on the character display on the operation unit 207 (S713).

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 100, the CPU 201 that controls each hardware resource such as the plotter engine and the operation unit 207 monitors the state of each hardware resource, and a predetermined error such as an abnormality is detected with any of the hardware resources. When an event occurs, the event is detected, and different processing is performed depending on the type of the event. Therefore, information serving as a reference for determining the type of event is necessary, and the example of FIG. 14 is table data indicating an example of information (reference information) used as a reference for determining the type of event (abnormality). The structure is shown. Here, “SC (Service Man Call)” corresponds to “abnormal”. As shown in the figure, the type is determined based on the detected SC. Therefore, each type will be described.

“Type A” is an item that is prohibited from being used by performing SC display on the character display (display unit) on the operation unit 207, and cannot be canceled by the device user (user). "SC reset" is also impossible. For example, a fixing SC.
“Type B” is an SC that cannot use only a specific function in which an abnormality is detected (detected). In normal use, SC display is not performed on the character display on the operation unit 207, but SC display is performed on the character display only when a function in which an abnormality is detected is selected. For example, this corresponds to the case where the duplex mode is selected when the duplex unit is abnormal.
“Type C” does not display on the character display on the operation unit 207 even when an SC occurs, but only logs the occurrence of the SC internally. For example, the case where communication becomes impossible corresponds.

  “Type D” displays the SC on the character display on the operation unit 207 and prohibits the use. However, the main power is turned OFF / ON (the operation is turned OFF and turned ON again) or the soft power key is pressed. The SC is canceled by the operation. There may be a case where the SC is detected again after the main power is turned on (power is turned on) and is not canceled apparently. For example, a motor abnormality corresponds to this. It is conceivable that the reference information for the determination is stored in a predetermined storage area of the flash memory 204 (or HDD 208). It should be noted that events such as scanner engine SC and plotter engine SC are also handled as different types of events.

Hereinafter, the process which is the characteristic of this invention in the mediation apparatus 101 is demonstrated concretely with reference to FIGS. This process can be performed by the image forming apparatus 110 having a function as the mediation apparatus 101, but the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an off-hook detection threshold value calculation process in the mediation apparatus 101.
The CPU 52 of the intermediary device 101 periodically starts the processing routine of FIG. 15 and first determines whether or not the line voltage measurement timing is preset in step S1, and if so, the communication line is determined in step S2. The switching unit 58 makes the line on-hook.
Next, in step 3, the control unit 601a (line voltage measurement unit 801) of the communication line switching unit 58 measures the line voltage VL (voltage between the connection lines L1 and L2 with the exchange 106 of the public line 103) when on-hook. .
When the measurement of the line voltage VL is completed, an off-hook detection threshold value is calculated based on the line voltage value VL and a predetermined voltage correction value α in step S4.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of line switching processing in the mediation apparatus 101.
When the communication line switching unit 58 switches the lines (connection lines) L1 and L2 to the connection to the external apparatus 105 (in the external apparatus mode), the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 receives the information from the management apparatus 102. The following description will be made on the assumption that the lines (connection lines) L1 and L2 are switched to the connection to the modem unit 601 in response to the above request. As the external apparatus 105, for example, a FAX apparatus is assumed.
In step S11, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 determines whether or not the external device 105 is in an off-hook state. If the off-hook state is in an off-hook state, the CPU 52 proceeds to step S12, reads an AT command from the storage unit 701, and switches it to a communication line. By sending the data to the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the unit 58, the modem unit 601 is set to the DTMF reception mode.

Here, the “AT command” in this case is a command for shifting the normal command mode to the DTMF reception mode, and is, for example, AT & R1. The “DTMF reception mode” refers to a state in which the mediation apparatus 101 receives DTMF signals on the lines (connection lines) L1 and L2. “Normal command mode” means a state in which the mediation apparatus 101 receives a normal command.
When the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 enters the DTMF reception mode, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 receives the DTMF signal (tone signal) on the lines (connection lines) L1 and L2 in step S13. If it is determined that the DTMF signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S14, and a command (instruction) for causing the modem unit 601 to go off-hook is sent to the network control front end unit 605 of the communication line switching unit 58. When the network control front end unit 605 receives the command, it forms a DC loop and puts the modem unit 601 in an off-hook state.

Here, the reason why the CPU 52 determines the reception of the DTMF signal is that the management apparatus 102 sends its own DTMF signal onto the lines (connection lines) L1 and L2.
When the modem unit 601 enters the off-hook state, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 controls the line switching circuit 604 of the communication line switching unit 58 by using the connection switching command in the storage unit 701 in step S15, and the lines L1, L2 Is switched to the connection to the modem unit 601, the reception status of the DTMF signal is monitored (checking whether reception is completed) in step S16, and if it is determined that the reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S17 to store The AT command is read from the unit 701 and sent to the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58, so that the modem unit 601 is set to the normal command mode.
Here, the “AT command” in this case is a command for instructing the end of the DTMF reception mode (for shifting the DTMF reception mode to the normal command mode), for example, AT & R0.

When the CPU 52 of the intermediary device 101 receives an “OK” response from the modem unit 601 in response to sending the AT command to the modem unit 601, an answer tone signal is sent from the modem unit 601 to the management device 102 by a predetermined process in step 18. To start data communication with the management apparatus 102.
Thereafter, in step 19, it is monitored whether or not the data communication with the management apparatus 102 has been completed. When the data communication has been completed, the process proceeds to step S 20, and the communication line is set by using the connection switching command in the storage unit 701. The line switching circuit 604 of the switching unit 58 is controlled to switch the lines L1 and L2 to the connection from the modem unit 601 to the external equipment 105. That is, the line is disconnected.
This is the end of the description of the line switching process in the mediation apparatus 101.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a communication sequence at the time of an incoming call from the management apparatus 102 in the mediation apparatus 101 (line connection to the modem unit 601).
Here, the same premise as in the case of FIG. 16 will be described. That is, when the communication line switching unit 58 switches the lines L1 and L2 to the connection to the external apparatus 105 (in the external apparatus mode), the CPU 52 of the intermediary apparatus 101 responds to a request from the management apparatus 102. The following description will be made on the assumption that the lines (connection lines) L1 and L2 are switched to connection to the modem unit 601.
For example, when the mediation device 101 itself is turned on, the CPU 52 of the mediation device 101 notifies the control unit 601a of the communication line switching unit 58 of an initial setting command (S31).
Upon receiving the initial setting command, the control unit 601a of the communication line switching unit 58 returns an “OK” response to the CPU 52, performs initialization processing, and enters a standby state (S32).

  Thereafter, the management apparatus 102 mediates via the lines L1 and L2 (lines connected to the corresponding exchange 106 in the public line 103) in order to remotely manage the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101. The device 101 is called (S33). As a method for calling the mediation device 101, for example, a method of sending a call signal (ringing) to the mediation device 101 on the lines L1 and L2 is adopted. In FIG. 17, “RING” means the ringing described above. Specifically, the telephone number (the other party's telephone number) of the device user (customer), which is the telephone number of the lines L1 and L2 to which the intermediary device 101 is connected, is dialed and the dial signal is placed on the public line 103. Send it out. As a result, a call signal is sent from the exchange 106 of the public line 103 to the mediation apparatus 101.

In the intermediary device 101, since the lines L1 and L2 are connected to the external equipment 105 via the line switching circuit 604, the external equipment 105 receives a call signal from the lines L1 and L2 and goes off-hook. L1 and L2 are captured (lines L1 and L2 are DC-connected).
When the external auxiliary device 105 changes from the on-hook state to the off-hook state, the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 of the intermediary device 101 detects the off-hook of the external auxiliary device 105 and notifies the CPU 52 of this ( S34). The reason why the external device 105 is off-hook is that the call signal is received in the external device mode. As a method for notifying the on-hook state of the modem unit 601, for example, a method in which the control unit 601a sends a “LINE PICKUP” signal to the CPU 52 is employed.

Here, the process of step S34 will be described in a little more detail.
The line voltage measuring unit 801 constituting the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 has a predetermined time set in advance by a command (AT & Q2) from the CPU 52 on condition that the modem unit 601 is in an on-hook state. The line voltage VL of the lines L1 and L2 is measured every (for example, 100 msec).
The comparison determination unit 803 compares the line voltage value VL measured by the line voltage measurement unit 801 with the off-hook detection threshold value in the detection threshold value storage unit 802, and based on the comparison result, the external ancillary device 105 It is determined whether or not it is in an off-hook state.
The off-hook state notification unit 804 sends a “LINE PICKUP” signal to the CPU 52 when the comparison determination unit 803 determines that the external device 105 is in an off-hook state (when an off-hook of the external device 105 is detected). To notify that the external device 105 is in an off-hook state.

When the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 receives the “LINE PICKUP” signal from the off-hook state notification unit 804, the CPU 52 recognizes that the external device 105 is in the off-hook state, reads the AT command from the storage unit 701, and reads the communication line switching unit 58. To the modem unit 601. The “AT command” here is a command for instructing the transition to the DTMF reception mode, and corresponds to, for example, the AT & R1 command (S35).
After entering the off-hook state, the external device 105 sends a response signal (CED signal) onto the lines L1 and L2 (S36).
After receiving the response signal, the management apparatus 102 sends a DTMF (IT tone) signal onto the lines L1 and L2 (S37). The DTMF signal indicates a number such as “12341234.

  When the CPU 52 of the intermediary device 101 recognizes that the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 has received the DTMF signal from the management device 102, the network control of the communication line switching unit 58 sends a command for causing the modem unit 601 to go off-hook. The data is sent to the front end unit 605. That is, when the modem unit 601 receives the DTMF signal transmitted from the management device 102 and receives the decoded DTMF signal from the modem unit 601, the DTMF of the management device 102 stored in advance in the DTMF signal and the storage unit 701 is received. When the two DTMF signals match with each other, a command for recognizing that the communication partner is the management apparatus 102 and causing the modem unit 601 to go off-hook (for example, an ATH1 command) is read from the storage unit 701. Then, it is sent to the network control front end unit 605 of the communication line switching unit 58 (S38).

When receiving the off-hook command from the CPU 52, the network control front end unit 605 of the communication line switching unit 58 forms a DC loop and puts the modem unit 601 in the off-hook state (S39).
When the modem unit 601 enters an off-hook state, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 controls the line switching circuit 604 of the communication line switching unit 58 by using a connection switching command (for example, an LCNT command) in the storage unit 701, and the line L1 , L2 are switched to the connection to the modem unit 601 (S40).
As a result, the external apparatus 105 separated from the lines L1 and L2 is connected to the DC supply circuit 606 and receives a predetermined DC voltage (for example, DC 24V). When the DC supply circuit 606 detects the current, it changes the signal FHKB to the CPU 52.
When the signal FHKB changes, the CPU 52 recognizes that the external side device 105 is off-hook.

Thereafter, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 monitors the reception status of the DTMF signal, and determines that the reception of the DTMF signal is completed when the DTMF signal is not received for a predetermined time (for example, 4 seconds), and the storage unit An AT command (for example, AT & R0) instructing the end of the DTMF reception mode is read from 701, and is transmitted to the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 (S41).
When the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 receives an AT command instructing the end of the DTMF reception mode from the CPU 52 in the DTMF reception mode, the control unit 601a returns an “OK” response to the CPU 52, and the modem unit 601 is returned to the normal mode from the DTMF reception mode. Return to command mode (transition) (S42).

When the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 receives an “OK” response from the modem unit 601 for sending an AT command to the modem unit 601, the CPU 52 performs a predetermined process. That is, the ATA command for instructing a response (modem response) to the management apparatus 102 is read from the storage unit 701 and sent to the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 (S43).
When the control unit 601 a of the modem unit 601 receives an ATA command instructing a response to the management apparatus 102, it sends an answer tone signal to the management apparatus 102.
When receiving the answer tone signal from the mediation device 101, the management device 102 transmits a connection signal (CONNECT) to the mediation device 101.
When receiving the connection signal from the management apparatus 102, the control section 601a of the modem section 601 of the mediation apparatus 101 decodes it and sends it to the CPU 52 (S44).
When the CPU 52 receives the connection signal from the modem unit 601, the modem unit 601 starts data communication with the management apparatus 102 (S45).

As a result, the external device 105 shifts from the off-hook state to the on-hook state, and the DC supply circuit 606 changes the signal FHKB to the CPU 52.
When the signal FHKB changes, the CPU 52 recognizes that the external device 105 is on-hook.
Thereafter, when the data communication between the mediation device 101 and the management device 102 is completed, the CPU 52 of the mediation device 101 sends a command to instruct line disconnection to the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 ( S46).
When the control unit 601a of the modem unit 601 receives a command for instructing to disconnect the line from the CPU 52, the control unit 601a reads a command for causing the modem unit 601 to go on-hook from the storage unit 701, and reads it from the network control front end of the communication line switching unit 58. To the unit 605.
When receiving the on-hook command from the CPU 52, the network control front-end unit 605 of the communication line switching unit 58 releases the DC loop and puts the modem unit 601 on-hook (S47). As a result, the line with the management apparatus 102 is disconnected.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the modem unit 601 of the communication line switching unit 58 of the mediation apparatus 101 measures the line voltages of the lines L1 and L2 via the network control front end unit 605 and the protection circuit 602, and By comparing the line voltage value with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold value and determining whether or not the external device 105 is in the off-hook state based on the comparison result, off-hook by the external device 105 is detected. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the intermediate device 101 with an off-hook current detection circuit. Therefore, the cost can be reduced accordingly.
Further, the off-hook detection threshold value can be calculated (determined) based on the line voltage values of the lines L1 and L2 at the time of on-hook and a predetermined voltage correction value (for example, determined based on the characteristics of the exchange 106). It is an accurate value.
Further, the CPU 52 of the mediation apparatus 101 controls the line switching circuit 604 of the communication line switching unit 58 based on the comparison determination result (whether the modem unit 601 is in the on-hook state) by the modem unit 601, and the lines L 1, L 2 Is switched to the connection to the modem unit 601 or the external apparatus 105 (switching to the connection to the modem unit 601 when it is determined to be in the off-hook state), so that the line switching can be surely performed at an appropriate timing.

  Although the mediating apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 110 having the communication line switching unit (which can be connected to an external device) have been described as examples of the communication apparatus (electronic apparatus) according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these. However, the present invention can be applied to network home appliances having a communication line switching unit, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, gas / water / electricity measuring systems, and various communication devices such as computers. Even when these communication devices are managed devices, the remote management system can be operated in the same manner as described above. Further, with regard to the remote management system of the communication device, the configuration of the communication device, the mediation device, and the management device and their connection form are not limited to the above embodiments.

Further, the program according to the present invention provides various functions (line voltage measuring means, comparing means, state determining means, off-hook detection threshold value determining means, (Function as voltage correction value determination means), and by causing a computer to execute such a program, the above-described effects can be obtained.
Such a program may be stored in a storage means such as a ROM or HDD provided in the computer from the beginning, but a non-volatile recording such as a CD-ROM or flexible disk, SRAM, EEPROM, memory card or the like as a recording medium. It can also be recorded on a medium (memory) and provided. Each procedure described above can be executed by installing a program recorded in the memory in a computer and causing the CPU to execute the program, or causing the CPU to read and execute the program from the memory.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

  The present invention relates to a network home appliance having a communication line switching unit, a vending machine, a medical device, a power supply device, an air conditioning system, various communication devices such as a gas / water / electricity measuring system, a computer, and a modulation / demodulation unit of the communication device. It is applicable to a computer that controls

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of the remote management system which makes the communication apparatus by this invention the managed apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data transmission / reception model in the remote management system. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system in which an image forming apparatus which is a communication apparatus according to the present invention is a managed apparatus. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the NRS 305 in FIG. 5. It is a block diagram which shows the physical structural example in the mediation apparatus 101 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a software structure of the mediation apparatus 101 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the principal part of the mediation apparatus 101 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a communication line switching unit 58 of the mediation apparatus 101 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example of the management apparatus 102 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence for data transmission / reception performed in the image forming apparatus management system illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 3 to a management apparatus 102. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table of the information used as the reference | standard for determining the kind of abnormality. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the off-hook detection threshold value calculation process in the mediation apparatus 101 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of line switching processing in the mediation apparatus 101 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when an incoming call is received from the management apparatus 102 (line connection to the modem unit 601) in the mediation apparatus 101 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional communication line switching part.

Explanation of symbols

10: Managed device 11: Managed device with mediation function 52, 201: CPU 53, 203: SDRAM 54, 204: Flash memory 55: RTC 56: Op-Port 57, 206: PHY 211, 1001: Modem 58: Communication Line switching unit 59: HDD control unit 63, 208: HDD 70: Application layer 80: Service layer 90: Protocol layer 100: Image forming apparatus 101: Mediation apparatus 102: Management apparatus 103: Public line 104: Firewall 105: External equipment 106: Switchboard 107: CE terminal 110: Image forming apparatus with mediation function 111: Dial-up server 112: Internet 202: ASIC 207: Operation unit 205: Memory for NRS 216: Plotter / Cana engine board 300: OCS 301: ECS 302: MCS 303: NCS 304: FCS 305: NRS 306: SCS 307: SRM 308: IMH 309: Copy application 310: Fax application 311: Printer application 312: Scanner application 313: Net file Application 314: Web application 315: CSS 316: DCS 320: General-purpose OS 601: Modem unit 601a: Control unit 602: Protection circuit 604: Line switching circuit 605: Network control front-end unit 606: DC supply circuit 607: External equipment connection Unit 701, 601b: storage unit 702: communication unit 1003: proxy server 1004: operator terminal 1005: database 1006: control Control device

Claims (11)

A communication device having an external external device connection unit for connecting an external external device such as a telephone or a facsimile machine, and a modulation / demodulation unit for modulating / demodulating the data in order to perform data communication with the external device via a communication line,
In the modem unit,
A line voltage measuring means for measuring a line voltage of the communication line;
A comparison means for comparing the measured value by the means with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold;
And a state determination unit that determines whether or not the external device is in an off-hook state based on a comparison result by the unit. The communication device according to claim 1.
The communication is characterized in that the modem unit is provided with off-hook detection threshold value determining means for determining the off-hook detection threshold value based on a measured value by the line voltage measuring means and a predetermined voltage correction value. apparatus. The communication device according to claim 2.
A communication apparatus, wherein the modulation / demodulation unit is provided with voltage correction value determining means for determining the voltage correction value based on the communication line. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A communication apparatus comprising: a communication line switching unit that switches the communication line to a connection to the modulation / demodulation unit or an external equipment connection unit based on a determination result by the state determination unit. An off-hook detection method in a communication device having an external device connection unit for connecting an external device such as a telephone or a facsimile machine and a modulation / demodulation unit for modulating / demodulating the data to perform data communication with the external device via a communication line Because
The modem unit measures the line voltage of the communication line, compares the measured value with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold, and based on the comparison result, whether or not the external equipment is in an off-hook state. An off-hook detection method characterized by detecting off-hook of the external equipment by determining whether or not The off-hook detection method according to claim 5,
The off-hook detection method, wherein the modulation / demodulation unit determines the off-hook detection threshold based on the measurement value and a predetermined voltage correction value. The off-hook detection method according to claim 6,
The off-hook detection method, wherein the modem unit determines the voltage correction value based on the communication line.   A modem unit of a communication device having an external device connection unit for connecting an external device such as a telephone or a facsimile machine and a modem unit for modulating / demodulating the data to perform data communication with the external device via a communication line; Based on the line voltage measurement function for measuring the line voltage of the communication line, the comparison function for comparing the measurement value by the function with a predetermined off-hook detection threshold, and the comparison result by the function And a state determination function for determining whether or not the external device is in an off-hook state. The program according to claim 8, wherein
A program for causing the computer to realize an off-hook detection threshold value determining function for determining the off-hook detection threshold value based on a measured value obtained by the line voltage measuring function and a predetermined voltage correction value. The program according to claim 9, wherein
A program for causing the computer to realize a voltage correction value determination function for determining the voltage correction value based on the communication line.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program as described in any one of Claims 8 thru | or 10.

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