JP2764272B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to an integrated services digital network (ISDN).

(Prior Art) Generally, a facsimile apparatus connected to a public telephone line or a DDX line performs only one of voice communication and image communication, or performs only half-duplex operation alternately. Not.

This is because each of the above lines basically has only a band for one channel of information, and simultaneous transmission of voice information and image information using this band results in information degradation and a reduction in transmission speed. This is the measure to be taken to avoid the deterioration of service quality due to the

On the other hand, with the practical use of ISDN, a facsimile apparatus connected to the ISDN is now establishing an embodiment of a unique communication service.

As is well known, ISDN is a digital integrated network that integrally handles service devices having different characteristics, such as telephones, telex, and facsimile machines, and has a plurality of information channels.

Therefore, simultaneous transmission of voice information and image information is possible by using two vacant information channels in the ISDN.

However, in the facsimile apparatus connected to the ISDN, although the voice communication and the image communication can be performed at the same time as described above, the facsimile apparatus does not have a configuration and a control system capable of simultaneously performing the image communication and the image communication.

Thus, for example, while receiving image information through the first information channel in ISDN (during operation of the image printer), a call is received through the second information channel, and this is a request to receive the image information. In this case, since the image printer is operating in response to the request for receiving the new image information, only a response operation such as returning a busy sound to the partner terminal can be performed, and the call from the partner terminal is useless. It had to be something.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the above-described conventional facsimile apparatus, when an image communication request is generated through the second information channel during the execution of the image communication using the first information channel, this new generation occurs. It can only operate so as to reject the requested image communication, and there is a problem that communication efficiency is inevitably reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and
When a transmission request for other image information is generated during transmission or reception of image information on the information channel of the second information channel, transmission or reception of other image information on the second information channel is performed without rejecting the newly generated transmission request. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus in which communication efficiency is improved by simultaneously performing reception processing.

[Configuration of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention comprises two network controllers which operate independently, and the operation of the network controllers is defined by the first and second networks in one integrated digital service line. A network interface unit for allocating to one information channel, a main voice control unit for controlling the operation of a speech circuit related to voice communication, an image transmission control unit for independently executing two facsimile procedures, and simultaneously executing a write operation and a read operation A possible image file unit, an image scanner unit for reading image information, an image printer unit for recording image information, and the image file unit corresponding to the two facsimile procedures of the image transmission control unit. A corresponding control command is sent to each module of the image scanner unit and the image printer unit, and the By selectively driving each module, transmission or reception of image information by the first information channel and the second
An image main control unit for simultaneously executing transmission or reception of image information by the information channel of the information control device and an external control device for generating an external control command of the same format as the control command are connected, and the external control device addresses each of the modules. And an external connection interface for receiving the external control command sent to the external device.

(Operation) The facsimile apparatus of the present invention has an image transmission control unit that independently executes two facsimile procedures, and an image file unit that can simultaneously execute a write operation and a read operation. The system is ready to respond to communication operation control.

Therefore, in actual communication, the image main control unit causes the image transmission control unit and the image file unit to operate together with the image scanner unit and the image printer unit according to the direction of transmission or reception,
For example, when image information is received by the first information channel while operating the image printer unit, the image information received from the second information channel is temporarily stored in the image file unit, and the image printer unit By performing operation control such as recording this as soon as it becomes available, full-duplex communication is achieved regardless of transmission or reception with respect to image communication.

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention also has two network control units which operate independently, and a network interface unit which allocates the operation of the network control unit to two information channels in one integrated digital service line. Therefore, it goes without saying that the voice communication and the image communication can be simultaneously executed by controlling the voice main control unit and the image main control unit.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a display unit comprising a liquid crystal display, a lamp and the like for displaying operation guidance and the like relating to incoming and outgoing calls. Reference numeral 4 denotes a hook switch unit which exhibits an on-hook state or an off-hook state in response to a key input operation of the key input unit 2, and 4 denotes a key input unit 2 and a hook switch unit 3 which are operated by an operator.
Operation control unit that controls the operation in accordance with the state of input from the computer, that is, the man-machine interface, 5 is the image main control unit that performs general operation control such as transmission, reception, and copying related to image communication, and 6 realizes telephone calls A voice main control unit for performing general operation control related to voice communication such as control of a speech circuit, 7 is an image file unit composed of a disk or the like capable of simultaneously executing writing and reading operations of image information, and 8 is a G4 procedure. , G3 procedure, etc., an image transmission control section that performs two independent transmission controls on image information, 9 is an image scanner section that reads and scans image information, and 10 is a hard copy (printout) of image information. Image printer units 11 and 12 perform network control for executing call procedures for incoming and outgoing calls to the network. Control unit, 13 is a network interface unit for controlling an interface with the network, 14 is an ISDN line constituting the network, 15 is a hout interface unit for controlling an interface with a host computer (not shown), 16
Is a host interface bus such as GP-IB or LAN connected to the host computer.

As is apparent from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention comprises a main image control unit 5 and a main audio control unit 6.
And network controllers 11 and 12 which can be involved in each of these operations.

As a result, the network control units 11 and 12 operate independently under the cooperative control with the network interface unit 13, and thereby perform the image communication and the voice communication using the two available information channels of the ISDN line 14. It enables the realization of simultaneous processing.

The operation of the facsimile machine will be described in detail below.

First, as an initial operation at the time of calling, the operator performs a key input operation necessary for calling from the key input unit 2 of the facsimile apparatus on the calling side, or performs an off-hook operation to set the hook switch unit 3 to an off-hook state. Let it be detected.

These operation states are notified to the operation control unit 4.

As a result, the operation control unit 4 displays operation guidance including selection of a service (image processing and audio processing) to be performed on the display unit 1 and prompts the operator to perform an input operation.

Here, the operator operates the key input unit 2 in accordance with the operation guidance displayed on the display unit 1 to select a service and to input call information regarding the dial number of the called facsimile machine.

When the service selected by the key input operation is image processing, the operation control unit 4 activates the processing operation of the image main control unit 5.

If the service selected separately is voice processing, the operation control unit 4 activates the processing operation of the voice main control unit 6.

Thereafter, the image main control unit 5 and the audio main control unit 6
The main control of each operation related to the image processing and the audio processing, that is, the start and continuation of the processing, the detection of the presence / absence of an abnormality, and the termination are individually monitored and executed.

Here, the processing operation of the image main control unit 5 will be described first.

That is, the image main control unit 5 controls each of the image file unit 7, the image transmission control unit 8, the image scanner unit 9, and the image printer unit 10 under management based on key input information obtained by selecting various services related to image processing. The operation is controlled overall, and the corresponding service is realized.

For example, when responding to a request for a copy service, the image main control unit 5 issues a command to the image scanner unit 9 to output image information obtained by reading and scanning by the image scanner unit 9 to the image printer unit 10, The processing operation until the notification of the end from the image scanner unit 9 is received is monitored.

When responding to a request to print out the image information stored in the image file unit 7, the image main control unit 5 instructs the image file unit 7 to output the image information to the image printer unit 10. And the processing operation is monitored until an end notification is received from the image file unit 7.

Further, when responding to the request for transmitting the image information to the called facsimile machine, the image main control unit 5 outputs the image information obtained by the scanning to the image scanner unit 9 to the image transmission control unit 8. Such a command is issued, and the processing operation is monitored until an end notification is received from the image scanner unit 9.

At this time, the image transmission control unit 8 notifies the network control unit 11 or 12 of a call request based on the control of the image main control unit 5.

In response to this request, for example, the network control unit 11 executes a call procedure related to image transmission through the network interface unit 13.

According to this call procedure, one free information channel among the plurality of information channels of the ISDN line 14 is captured,
The image information transferred from the image scanner 9 to the image transmission controller 8 is transmitted to the called facsimile machine.

 Next, the processing operation of the main voice control unit 6 will be described.

That is, the voice main control unit 6 is the key input unit 2 described above.
A call request is notified to the network control unit 12 or 11 based on the key input information obtained by the selection operation relating to the voice processing service in step (1).

In response to this request, for example, the network control unit 12 executes a call procedure related to voice transmission through the network interface unit 13.

After the occupation of one vacant information channel of the ISDN line 14 is performed by this call procedure, the main voice control unit 6 controls the communication circuit and the like to communicate with the called facsimile machine through the information channel. Realize a call.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention at the time of an incoming call is performed as follows.

That is, when an incoming call is generated from the ISDN line 14, the network interface unit 13 determines whether the incoming call is an image incoming call or a voice incoming call, and the incoming call to that effect is sent to the network control unit 11 or the network control unit 12, respectively. Notify that there is.

In the case of an incoming image, for example, the network control unit 11 notifies the image transmission control unit 8 of the incoming call.

Further, the image transmission control unit 8 notifies the image main control unit 5 of the incoming call, and thereafter sends out the incoming image information to the image file unit 7 or the image printer unit 10.

Image file section 7 or image printer section 10
Performs the storage and printout of the image information under the control of the image main controller 5.

Prior to this, the image main control unit 5 issues a command to the operation control unit 4 to perform “display for prompting a response to the incoming image” to the display unit 1, and thereafter receives an end notification from the image transmission control unit 8. These processing operations are monitored.

On the other hand, in the case of an incoming voice call, for example, the network control unit 12 notifies the main voice control unit 6 of the incoming call.

As a result, the voice main control unit 6 performs a call with the calling side by controlling the call circuit and the like.

Prior to this, the voice main control unit 6 issues a command to the operation control unit 4 to perform a “display prompting a response to a voice incoming call” to the display unit 1, and thereafter monitors the processing operation until the call ends. I do.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes the network control units 11 and 12 provided so as to be involved in the operations of the image main control unit 5 and the voice main control unit 6 in cooperation with the network interface unit 13. By operating independently under control, simultaneous processing of image communication and voice communication using two available information channels of the ISDN line 14 becomes possible.

Incidentally, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is provided with an image file unit 7 and an image transmission control unit 8. In particular, the former is capable of simultaneously executing the writing operation and the reading operation of the image information, and the latter is a G4 procedure or the like. According to the facsimile procedure such as the G3 procedure, two independent transmission controls for image communication can be performed.

As a specific configuration of the image transmission control unit 8, for example, the network control units 11 and 12
And two circuits (first circuit 8a and second circuit 8b) that operate independently of each other.

As a result, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, two
Network control unit even when there is a request to perform
The first circuit 8a depends on whether the network controller 11 is used or the network controller 12 is used.
Alternatively, the above-mentioned request can be satisfied by performing the writing or reading operation of the image information by the image file unit 7 while independently operating the second circuit 8b, and further activating the image scanner unit 9 or the image printer unit 10 as appropriate. Yes, so-called full-duplex operation for image communication can be realized regardless of transmission or reception.

In the following, an operation of coping with a typical case of simultaneous processing of image communication occurring in this type of facsimile apparatus will be considered.

For example, when the image information is received through the second information channel while the image information is being transmitted through the first information channel while the image scanner unit 9 is being activated, the image type control unit 5 transmits the image information from the partner terminal. The image printer unit 10 may be activated so as to record the image data or to control the image file unit 7 to write the image data.

In the case where the image information written in the image file unit 7 is transmitted through the first information channel and the image information is received through the second information channel, the image main control unit 5 also transmits the image information from the partner terminal. The image information may be controlled by activating the image printer unit 10 and recording the image information or writing the image information into the image file unit 7.

Conversely, while activating the image printer unit 10, the first
When image information is further received on the second information channel while image information is being received on the information channel of
The image main controller 5 may perform control so that image information from the partner terminal is written into the image file unit 7.

Further, while writing to the image file unit 7, the first
When image information is received through the second information channel while image information is being received through the information channel, the image main controller 5 activates the image printer 10 to record the image information from the partner terminal. Should be controlled.

When transmitting image information through the second information channel while receiving image information through the first information channel while activating the image printer unit 10, the image main control unit 5 activates the image scanner unit 9 while activating the image scanner unit 9. The read image information may be directly transmitted to the partner terminal, or the image information may be written in the image file unit 7.

By applying such control, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, for example, during the communication of image information through the first information channel, a request for image communication is issued in accordance with the operation of the image processing key on the key input unit 2. In this case, the full-duplex operation related to the image communication can be maintained.

In this case, after the image communication request is generated, the image main control unit 5 reads the image information while activating the image scanner unit 9 according to the situation, or writes the image information in the image file unit 7 in advance. ,
This may be transmitted to the partner terminal through the second information channel.

By the way, all the modules in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, for example, the image scanner unit 9 and the image printer unit 10 are configured to operate by commands.

Thus, when controlling each module such as the image scanner unit 9, the image main control unit 5 executes this by transmitting a corresponding command.

The control such as the end notification of the processing operation is performed by, for example, the image scanner unit 9 or the like transmitting a command corresponding to the image main control unit 5.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has each module operated by a command, so that the operation can be controlled also by an external device such as a host computer connected to the host interface unit 15 via the host interface bus 16. It becomes possible.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a command used for controlling the operation of the facsimile apparatus by the host computer, and is composed of a destination field 20, a transmission source field 21, and a message section 22.

Corresponding to the configuration of the command, each of the modules described above, for example, the image main control unit 5, the image scanner unit 9, the image printer unit 10, etc., is assigned an address number of a system that does not duplicate the operation in the facsimile machine. In the destination field 20, the source field 21, and the message section 22, the corresponding address numbers are entered.

The message section 22 contains a binary code having a meaning such as “start” or “end”.

Now, when actually operating the facsimile machine,
The host computer creates a command having the format described above and sends this command to the host interface bus 16.
To the facsimile machine via the host interface unit 15.

As a result, in the facsimile apparatus, for example, the image scanner unit 9 starts operating according to a start command.
At this time, it does not matter where the start command is issued, and the end notification of the processing operation is merely returned to the source address of the start command.

Therefore, the host computer controls the image main controller 5.
By transmitting a command to the host interface unit 15 in the same manner as transmitting a command, the facsimile apparatus can be controlled by various operations corresponding to the command.

With the configuration and control described above, the entire operation flow of the facsimile apparatus in the communication system of the present invention is processed according to the operation state transition diagram shown in FIG.

 In FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes an idle state.

Similarly, 32 indicates an image operation, 34 indicates a voice operation, 36 indicates an image and voice simultaneous operation, 31, 37 indicates an image processing operation guide, and 33 and 35 indicate a voice processing operation guide.

The facsimile apparatus is in the idle state 30 when no operation is performed.

Here, for example, when a key input operation of an image processing key (such as a dial number key of a facsimile apparatus) is performed from a keyboard (key input unit 2), the facsimile apparatus performs an image processing operation guide for selecting an image processing service. Transitions to state 31 in the middle.

Thereafter, when the service is determined by an operation based on this operation guide, the facsimile machine transits to a state 32 during image operation.

In addition, when an image is received in the idle state 30, the facsimile apparatus directly transits to the state 32 during image operation.

When the image processing is completed in this state 32, the facsimile apparatus returns to the idle state 30 again.

On the other hand, if the voice processing key or the off-hook operation is performed in the idle state 30, the facsimile machine transits to the state 33 in which the voice processing operation is being guided.

When the key input operation necessary for the call is completed by the operation guide displayed in this state 33, the facsimile machine transits to a state 34 in which voice operation is being performed.

When the facsimile apparatus receives an incoming voice call in the idle state 30, the facsimile apparatus directly transits to the voice operation state 34.

Further, when a voice operation request is issued in the image operation state 32, the facsimile machine transits to the image voice simultaneous operation state 36 via the audio processing operation guide state 35 while continuing the image operation.

On the other hand, when there is a voice call in the state 32 during the image operation, the facsimile apparatus directly
The state transits to the state 36 of simultaneous operation of image and voice.

First, when the key input operation of the image processing key is performed in the voice operation state 34, the facsimile apparatus changes to the image processing simultaneous operation state 36 through the image processing operation guide state 37 while continuing the voice operation. Transition.

On the other hand, when an image is received in the voice operation state 34, the facsimile apparatus directly transits to the state 36 in which the image and voice simultaneous operation is performed without passing through the state 37.

When the voice processing is completed in the image voice simultaneous operation state 36, the facsimile apparatus returns to the image operation state.
32, and when the image processing is completed, the sound is active.
The state transitions to 34 respectively.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when the second image is received in the state 32 during the image operation, the state directly transits to the state 321 during the second image operation.

In this state 321, a response operation to the second incoming image is performed while the first image operation is maintained under the control of the image main control unit 5.

With the end of the response operation to the second image call, the facsimile apparatus changes the state during the image operation.
Returns 32.

Further, when an image operation request is generated by the operation of the image processing key by the operator in the state 32 during the image operation, the facsimile apparatus continues the image operation up to that time while the second image processing operation guide state 32 is maintained.
The state transits to the state 321 during the second image operation via 2.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, two network controllers operating independently, and the operations of the network controllers are referred to as the first and second two in one integrated digital service line. A network interface unit for allocating to one information channel, a main voice control unit for controlling the operation of a speech circuit related to voice communication, an image transmission control unit for independently executing two facsimile procedures, and simultaneously executing a write operation and a read operation A possible image file section, an image scanner section for reading image information, an image printer section for recording image information, and an image file section corresponding to the two facsimile procedures of the image transmission control section. The image scanner unit sends out a corresponding control command to each module of the image printer unit, and An image main control unit for selectively driving a module to simultaneously perform transmission or reception of image information on the first information channel and transmission or reception of image information on the second information channel; A facsimile device for connecting an external control device that generates an external control command of the same format as the command and an external connection interface that receives the external control command sent from the external control device to each of the modules. Not only the body,
An external control device such as a host computer also controls the facsimile device by various corresponding operations, and transmits or receives image information via the first information channel and the second information channel.
By simultaneously executing the transmission or reception of the image information by the information channel described above, it is possible to obtain an excellent operational effect that a significant improvement in communication efficiency can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a command when the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is controlled by a host computer which is an externally connected device. FIG. 3 is an operation state transition diagram showing a processing flow in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. 1 display section 2 key input section 3 hook switch section 4 operation control section 5 image main control section 6 voice main control section 7 image file section 8 image transmission control unit, 8a first circuit, 8b
... Second circuit, 9 ... Image scanner unit, 10 ... Image printer unit, 11,12 ... Network control unit, 13 ... Network interface unit, 14 ... ISDN line, 15 ... Host interface unit, 16 ... … Host interface bus, 20 ……
Destination field, 21 ... Source field, 22 ... Message part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/10 H04N 1/00 H04N 1/32

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An independent network control unit, a network interface unit for assigning the operation of the network control unit to first and second information channels in one integrated digital service line, A main voice control unit for controlling the operation of a communication circuit related to communication; an image transmission control unit for independently executing two facsimile procedures; an image file unit capable of simultaneously executing a write operation and a read operation; and reading of image information An image scanner unit that performs image data recording, an image printer unit that records image information, and modules for the image file unit, the image scanner unit, and the image printer unit corresponding to the two facsimile procedures of the image transmission control unit. By sending the corresponding control command to the An image main control unit for simultaneously executing transmission or reception of image information by the first information channel and transmission or reception of image information by the second information channel; and an external control command having the same format as the control command. A facsimile device, comprising: an external connection interface that connects an external control device that generates the external control command and that receives the external control command sent from the external control device to each of the modules.