JP2003037725A - Communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal that can select an optimum coding system and effectively utilize a CODEC circuit and a CODEC program. SOLUTION: The communication terminal is provided with a CODEC circuit 9, comprising hardware adopting the coding system for encoding/decoding image data with a communication capability in the ITU-T recommendation V.34 mode, and a CODEC program 6a stored in a ROM 6 and comprising software of the coding system for encoding/decoding image data with a communication capability which is lower than the communication capability of the CODEC circuit 9, that is, with communication capability of that of the ITU-T Recommendation V.17 mode or lower. A RAM 7 stores a destination attribute table 7b including coding systems and communication speeds used for each destination and a main control section 1 selects a circuit, adopting one coding system or a coding means adopting the software used for transmitting image data from CODEC circuits 9 and CODEC programs 6a, on the basis of the destination attribute table 7b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device provided with encoding means of encoding systems having different communication capabilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional G3 mode facsimile apparatus, V. 2 of ITU-T recommendation having a communication speed exceeding 14.4 kbps and up to 28.8 kbps is provided. When facsimile communication is performed using the H.34 system, it is necessary to encode or decode image data using a CODEC circuit (codec circuit) configured by a hardware circuit. The hardware circuit is also used when encoding the image of the read document and storing it in the image memory, or when decoding the encoded data from the image memory and outputting it to the electrophotographic printer (so-called multi-copy). CO
A DEC circuit is used. On the other hand, the V. When facsimile communication is performed using the 17 or less methods, image data is encoded or decoded by using a software CODEC program (codec program) stored in a storage device.

[0003]

However, unless the communication with the destination partner machine is started, the CODEC circuit or CODEC program to be used cannot be selected.
There is a problem that the optimum coding method is not known in advance and the CODEC circuit and the CODEC program cannot be used efficiently.

Further, in such a conventional facsimile apparatus, when the transmission reserved time comes while the image reading unit is scanning or the image recording unit is printing, the facsimile communication is recommended by the partner machine to the ITU-T recommendation. V. Even if it has a communication capability based on V.34, it is possible to use the CODEC program of the software, and the V. It is necessary to perform facsimile communication using a method having a communication speed of 17 or less, which requires an extremely long communication time as compared with the communication time when performing facsimile communication using a CODEC circuit composed of hard air. As a result, there has been a problem that the communication charge becomes large.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, to select the most suitable encoding method as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus, and to use the CODEC circuit and CODEC program efficiently. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device, which can realize a shorter communication time of the entire device.

[0006]

A communication terminal apparatus according to the present invention has a first coding means of a first coding system having a predetermined first capability and a capability lower than the first capability. Based on the destination attribute table, a second encoding means of a second encoding method having a second encoding method, a storage means for storing a destination attribute table including an encoding method used for each destination and a communication speed, Control means for selecting one encoding means to be used when transmitting image data from the first and second encoding means.

In the communication terminal device, the control means waits for a predetermined time when the first encoding means is in use, and the first encoding means is unused during the standby. Sometimes, the first coding means is selected.

In the communication terminal device, when the control means is in use of the first coding means, the control means is in use of the first coding means even after waiting for a predetermined time. In addition, the second encoding means is selected.

Further, in the communication terminal device, the control means has another communication reservation destination when the first encoding means is in use, and the other communication reservation destination is the first communication destination. When communication is possible using the second encoding means, the second encoding means is selected for communication of the other communication reservation.

Furthermore, in the above communication terminal device,
The control means is characterized by changing the selected coding means to another coding means in accordance with the capability indicated by the procedure signal from the destination partner device.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus 20 including a CODEC circuit 9 and a CODEC program 6a according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the facsimile apparatus 20 of this embodiment, V. A CODEC circuit 9 having a 34 mode communication capability and configured by hardware of an encoding method for encoding and decoding image data;
It has a communication capability lower than that of the C circuit 9, that is, V. The CODEC program 6a in the ROM 6 which has a communication capability of 17 modes or less and is composed of software of an encoding method for encoding and decoding image data is provided, and the RAM 7 is an encoding used for each destination. Destination attribute table 7 including method and communication speed
b, the main control unit 1 stores the CODEC circuit 9 and the CODEC program 6 based on the destination attribute table 7b.
It is characterized in that a circuit or software encoding means for one encoding method used when transmitting image data is selected from among a (step S5 and FIG. 5 of FIG. 2).

When the CODEC circuit 9 is in use (NO in step S2 of FIG. 2), the main control section 1 waits for a predetermined time, and when the CODEC circuit 9 becomes unused during standby. (YES in step S10), the CODEC circuit 9 is selected (step S3). Further, the main control unit 1
When the CODEC circuit 9 is in use (NO in step S2 in FIG. 2), the CODEC circuit 9 is in use even after waiting for a predetermined time (YE in step S11).
S), the CODEC program 6a is selected (step S13).

Further, the main controller 1 includes a CODEC circuit 9
Is being used (NO in step S2 of FIG. 2),
There is another communication reservation destination (YES in step S8),
When the destination of the other communication reservation can communicate using the CODEC program 6a (YE in step S9)
S), the CODEC program 6a is selected for communication of the other communication reservation (step S13). Furthermore, the main control unit 1 changes the selected encoding means to another code according to the capability indicated by the DIS signal which is the procedure signal from the destination partner device (step S41, S42 or S51 in FIG. 3). The conversion means is changed (step S44 or S54).

In FIG. 1, the facsimile device 20 is
In addition to having a facsimile communication function such as the conventional G3 system, the V. A hardware CODEC circuit 9 having a communication capability of 34 modes and V.34 of ITU-T recommendation. It is provided with a CODEC program 6a in the ROM 6 having a communication capability of 17 modes or less. The main control unit 1 is specifically configured by a CPU, is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 13 and controls them, and also executes various software functions described later. The image reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like and outputs dot image data converted into monochrome binary. The image recording unit 3 is a printer device such as an electrophotographic system, and prints out and records the image data received by facsimile communication from another facsimile device as a hard copy. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operating state of the facsimile device 20 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. .

The operation unit 5 includes character keys necessary for operating the facsimile device 20, a numeric keypad for dialing,
It has speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, and various function keys. By using the touch panel system for the display unit 4 described above, the operation unit 5
You may comprise so that some or all of the various keys of may be substituted.

The ROM 6 stores in advance programs for various software required for the operation of the facsimile apparatus 20 and executed by the main control section 1, where the programs are V.s. 17 modes,
V. 32, V.I. 27 ter, V.I. It includes a CODEC program 6a that has a communication capability based on 26 bis or the like and that encodes and decodes image data, and also includes a program for the image data transmission processing of FIGS. 2 to 5.

The RAM 7 is composed of an SRAM, a flash memory or the like, is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed. The RAM 7 has a transmission reservation table 7
The transmission reservation table 7a stores the transmission time (including immediate), the destination, and the image memory 8 of the image data to be transmitted for each facsimile transmission such as immediate transmission or time-specified transmission. Contains data such as addresses. A destination attribute table 7b is stored in the RAM 7, and the destination attribute table 7b stores, for each telephone number of the destination,
Optimum transmission rate and coding method for facsimile communication (specifically, V.8 mode is on, J
BIG (high compression method) is on, and the like), and these data are stored in advance according to past communication results and the like. When a flash memory is used as the RAM 7, the content of the data is not lost even when the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the device, or the like. The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted or received image data. The RAM 7 and the image memory 8 may be hard disk memories.

The fax modem 10 is a public telephone line L
Is a modem that has the function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit in a network control circuit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs an operation of closing and opening a DC loop or the like of an analog public telephone line L and has an automatic dial function, and if necessary, the fax modem 10 To the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 is an ID receiving terminal activation signal in the calling telephone number notification service,
A normal telephone call signal can be detected, and a primary response signal and a secondary response signal in the originating telephone number notification service can be transmitted as needed. In addition, NCU1
1 may be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and DSU (Digital Service Unit in the subscriber line terminating device).

The facsimile apparatus 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above has the above-mentioned CODEC circuit 9 and COD in addition to the normal G3 system facsimile communication function.
It has an EC program 6a. In the facsimile communication function, the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is stored in the ROM 6 according to the encoding system such as MH, MR, MMR defined by the facsimile communication standard.
After being encoded by the CODEC program 6a in the CODEC circuit 9 or transmitted by the CODEC circuit 9 to the facsimile machine of the other party, the encoded data received from the facsimile machine of the other party is the CODEC program 6 in the ROM6.
a or the CODEC circuit 9 decodes the image data and outputs it as a hard copy from the image recording unit 3. The image memory 8 stores image data as needed, and conversely outputs the stored image data as needed.

Furthermore, V.V. which enables high speed data communication such as facsimile communication. 34 mode and V.34. The 8-mode communication procedure will be described. When data communication is performed by a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device, a half-duplex method such as ITU-T Recommendation V.3 is used. Using a modem that conforms to the 17-mode communication procedure, etc., the Recommendation T.38, which is also a G3 standard facsimile communication procedure. According to the procedure specified in 30. In addition, the recommendation V. Ultra-high-speed communication procedure (hereinafter referred to as "V.
This is called the 34-mode communication procedure. ) Has also been commercialized,
This V. In the 34-mode communication procedure, at the time of starting communication and during communication execution, the receiving side specifies the communication speed according to the line status at that time, specifically, S / N (signal-to-noise power ratio) and bandwidth. The transmission side can change the communication speed so that the transmission is performed at the communication speed specified by the reception side. In addition, V. In the case where data communication is performed in the 34-mode communication procedure, the same recommendation as V.34. Perform the pre-procedure in 8 communication procedures to determine the actual communication speed.

Fax modem 10 used in this embodiment
Is V. A modem capable of 34-mode communication procedures,
It is possible to change the communication speed during communication, and the status of the communication line at that time from the signal received from the communication partner,
Specifically, S / N and bandwidth data can be externally monitored as status. That is, the line probing process is performed with the transmitting side device. As a result of this process, the S / N and bandwidth of the line at that time are output from the fax modem 10 as status, and the main control unit 1 Is read and processing based on it is performed.

2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the image data transmission processing executed by the main control unit 1 of FIG.

In step S1 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not there is a communication reservation to be transmitted after the transmission start time has elapsed in the transmission reservation table 7a, and the processing of step S1 is repeated until YES, and YES. In step S2, it is determined whether the CODEC circuit 9 can be used. Specifically, the CODEC circuit 9 compresses the image data and stores it in the image memory 8 or expands the image data stored in the image memory 8.
It is determined whether the circuit 9 is in use. CODEC
When the circuit 9 is in use, it is determined to be unusable, and when not in use, it is determined to be usable. If YES in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S5. Then, in step S3, the maximum transmission capacity V. After setting to transmit using the CODEC circuit 9 as the 34 mode and the encoding method JBIG, the destination is dialed in step S4, and the process proceeds to step S31 in FIG.

If NO in step S2, in step S5, the CODEC circuit necessity determination process based on the destination attribute table 7b shown in FIG. 5 is executed.
In the CODEC circuit necessity determination process, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the communication speed registered in the destination is 14.4 Kbps or less by referring to the destination attribute table 7b. , YES, the process proceeds to step S24 to set the hardware codec flag to 0, while NO is determined to proceed to step S22. Next, in step S22, the destination attribute registered in the destination with reference to the destination attribute table 7b is V.
It is determined whether or not the 8 bits are turned on. If YES, the process proceeds to step S25 to set the hard codec flag to 1, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S23. Further, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the JBIG bit is ON for the destination attribute registered in the destination by referring to the destination attribute table 7b. If YES, the process proceeds to step S25, while if NO, the step is performed. Proceed to S24. In step S24, the hard codec flag is set to 0 so that the CODEC circuit 9 is not used and the CODEC program 6a is used, while in step S25, the hard codec flag is set to 1. , CODEC circuit 9
Is used and the CODEC program 6a is not used. When this subroutine process ends, the process returns to step S6 in FIG.

In step S6 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the hard codec flag is 1, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S7, and if NO, step S1.
Go to 3. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the setting mode for waiting for a predetermined time (for example, about 3 to 5 minutes) for the CODEC circuit 9 to be empty is set. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8. , NO, the process proceeds to step S13. Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not there is another transmission reservation to be transmitted after the transmission start time has elapsed in the transmission reservation table 7a. If YES, the process proceeds to step S9, and if NO, step S10. Proceed to. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the other transmission reservation is a communication-enabled destination using the CODEC program 6a. If YES, the process proceeds to step S12, and if NO, step S12.
Go to 10. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the CODEC circuit 9 is empty, and if YES, step S3.
If NO, the process proceeds to step S11, and in step S11, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the process of step S7 related to the transmission reservation. If YES, the process proceeds to step S13, and if NO. Returns to step S8. On the other hand, in step S12, after setting the communication for the other transmission reservation, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the maximum transmission capacity is set to V. 17 modes and encoding method MMR, CODEC
Set to send using the program 6a, then step S
4, the destination is dialed, and step S31 in FIG.
Proceed to.

In step S31 of FIG. 3, the CODEC is
It is determined whether or not the setting uses the circuit 9. If YES, the process proceeds to step S32, and if NO, step S32.
Proceed to 39. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the ANSam signal is detected, and if YES, step S
If NO, the process proceeds to step S41.
In step S33, the CM signal is transmitted, and in step S33
The JM signal is detected at 34, and the CJ signal is transmitted at step S35. Next, after performing line probing in step S36, the communication speed is determined based on the modulation parameter sequence including the modulation parameter (MPH) in step S37, and step S3
8, the DIS signal is received, and step S51 in FIG.
Proceed to.

In step S51 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the JBIG bit in the received DIS signal is ON. If YES, the process proceeds to step S52, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S52, a DCS signal for turning on JBIG is transmitted, and then the process proceeds to step S56. On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the communication speed determined in step S53 is 14.4 Kbps or less. If NO, the process directly proceeds to step S55, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S54. Step S
At 54, the setting is changed to use the CODEC program 6a and switched, and the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the DCS specifying the coding method MMR
After transmitting a signal and transmitting the image data by the designated encoding method in step S56, the line is opened in step S57, and the process returns to step S1.

If NO in step S31 of FIG. 3, V.V. 21 mode DIS signal is detected and the maximum capacity V. 17
After transmitting the DCS signal designating the coding method MMR in the mode, the process proceeds to step S56 of FIG. 4, after transmitting the image data in the designated coding method, the line is opened in step S57 and the process returns to step S1.

If NO in step S32 of FIG. 3, V.V. 21-mode DI
DI received in step S42 after receiving the S signal
Whether or not the JBIG bit in the S signal is ON is determined, and Y
If ES, the process proceeds to step S43, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S43, the V. 17
After transmitting the DCS signal designating the coding system JBIG in the mode, the image data is transmitted in the coding system designated in step S56 of FIG. 4, the line is opened in step S57, and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, in step S44, the CODEC program 6a is set for transmission, and in step S40 the maximum capacity V. After transmitting the DCS signal designating the coding system MMR in the 17 mode, the process proceeds to step S56 in FIG. 4, and after transmitting the image data in the designated coding system, the step S56.
The line is opened at 57 and the process returns to step S1.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the main control section 1 stores the destination attribute table 7 stored in the RAM 7 and including the encoding method and the communication speed used for each destination.
Based on b, the circuit or software encoding means for one encoding method used when transmitting image data is selected from the CODEC circuit 9 and the CODEC program 6a (step S5 in FIG. 2). And FIG. 5).
Therefore, it is possible to select the most suitable encoding method as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus, and the CODEC circuit 9 or C can be selected.
The ODEC program 6a can be used efficiently, and the communication time of the entire device can be shortened.

When the CODEC circuit 9 is in use (NO in step S2 of FIG. 2), the main control section 1 waits for a predetermined time, and when the CODEC circuit 9 becomes unused during standby. (YES in step S10), the CODEC circuit 9 is selected (step S3). Therefore, the CODEC circuit 9 that can reduce the communication time can be preferentially used, and the CODEC circuit 9 can be used efficiently.

Further, the main controller 1 includes a CODEC circuit 9
Is being used (NO in step S2 of FIG. 2),
Even if the CODEC circuit 9 is in use even after waiting for a predetermined time (YES in step S11), the CODEC program 6a is selected (step S13). Therefore, when the CODEC circuit 9 is in use even after waiting for a predetermined time,
In order to start the communication as soon as possible, the image data can be transmitted using the CODEC program 6a, and the facsimile device can be used efficiently.

Further, the main control section 1 includes a CODEC circuit 9
Is being used (NO in step S2 of FIG. 2),
There is another communication reservation destination (YES in step S8),
When the destination of the other communication reservation can communicate using the CODEC program 6a (YE in step S9)
S), the CODEC program 6a is selected for communication of the other communication reservation (step S13). Therefore, there is another communication reservation destination, and the other communication reservation destination is C
When communication is possible using the ODEC program 6a, in order to start communication as soon as possible, CODE
Image data can be transmitted using the C program 6a, and the facsimile device can be used efficiently.

Furthermore, the main controller 1 responds to the capability indicated by the DIS signal which is the procedure signal from the destination partner machine (step S41, S42 or S5 in FIG. 3).
1) Change the selected encoding means to another encoding means (step S44 or S54). Therefore, when the registered content of the destination attribute table 7b is different from the capability indicated by the DIS signal which is the procedure signal from the destination partner device, the selected encoding method can be changed to another encoding method and transmitted. , It is possible to flexibly deal with changes in the partner device or communication line and send.

<Modification> In the above embodiments, an example of the facsimile device 20 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the facsimile device 20 is connected to a public network such as a public telephone network or a public digital line network. For example, it can be applied to a communication terminal device including a telephone, a data communication device, and the like.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the communication terminal device of the present invention, the first coding means of the first coding system having the predetermined first capability and the first capability are provided. Based on the destination attribute table, a second encoding means of a second encoding method having a lower capability, a storage means for storing a destination attribute table including an encoding method used for each destination and a communication speed, And a control means for selecting one of the first and second encoding means to use one encoding means for transmitting image data. Therefore, it is possible to select the most suitable encoding method as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus, to efficiently use the encoding means including each encoding method, and to shorten the communication time of the entire apparatus. can do.

In the communication terminal device, the control means waits for a predetermined time when the first encoding means is in use, and the first encoding means is unused during the standby. Sometimes, the first encoding means is selected. Therefore, it is possible to preferentially use the first coding method capable of shortening the communication time, and it is possible to efficiently use the coding means of the first coding method.

In the communication terminal device, when the control means is in use of the first encoding means, when the first encoding means is in use even after waiting for a predetermined time. Then, the second encoding means is selected. Therefore, when the first encoding method is in use even after waiting for a predetermined time, the image data can be transmitted using the second encoding method in order to start communication as soon as possible, and The communication terminal device can be used efficiently.

Further, in the communication terminal device, the control means has another communication reservation destination when the first encoding means is in use, and the other communication reservation destination is the first communication destination. When communication is possible using the second encoding means, the second encoding means is selected for communication of the other communication reservation. Therefore, there are other communication reservation destinations,
When the destination of the other communication reservation is communicable using the second encoding method, the image data can be transmitted using the second encoding method in order to start the communication as soon as possible. The communication terminal device can be used efficiently.

Furthermore, in the above communication terminal device,
The control means changes the selected coding means to another coding means according to the capability indicated by the procedure signal from the destination partner device. Therefore, when the registered content of the destination attribute table is different from the capability indicated by the procedure signal from the destination partner device, it is possible to change the selected encoding system to another encoding system and transmit it. You can flexibly deal with changes in communication lines and send.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus 20 including a CODEC circuit 9 and a CODEC program 6a, which is an embodiment according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing a first part of an image data transmission process executed by a main control unit 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second part of the image data transmission process executed by the main control unit 1 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a third part of the image data transmission process executed by the main control unit 1 of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a CODEC circuit necessity determination process (step S5) based on the destination attribute table 7b, which is a subroutine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Main control unit, 2 ... Image reading unit, 3 ... Image recording section, 4 ... Display, 5 ... operation part, 6 ... ROM, 6a ... CODEC program, 7 ... RAM, 7a ... Transmission reservation table, 7b ... Destination attribute table, 8 ... Image memory, 9 ... CODEC circuit, 10 ... fax modem, 11 ... NCU, 13 ... bus, 20 ... Facsimile device, L: Public telephone line.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first coding means of a first coding system having a predetermined first capability and a second code of a second coding system having a capability lower than the first capability. Means of conversion,
When transmitting image data from the first and second encoding means based on the destination attribute table, a storage means for storing a destination attribute table including an encoding method used for each destination and a communication speed A communication terminal device, comprising: a control unit that selects one encoding unit to be used. 2. The control means waits for a predetermined time when the first encoding means is in use, and when the first encoding means is unused during the standby state, The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the first encoding means is selected. 3. The control means, when the first encoding means is in use, when the first encoding means is in use even after waiting for a predetermined time, the second control means The communication terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an encoding means is selected. 4. The control means has a destination of another communication reservation when the first encoding means is in use, and the destination of the other communication reservation is the second encoding means. The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second encoding means is selected for communication of the other communication reservation when communication is possible using the communication means. Terminal device. 5. The control means changes the selected encoding means to another encoding means in accordance with the capability indicated by the procedure signal from the destination partner device. 4. The communication terminal device according to any one of 4.