Communicating apparatus

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention particularly relates to a communicating apparatus of a facsimile apparatus or the like having a selective polling transmitting function.

2. Related Background Art

In a conventional facsimile apparatus having a selective polling transmitting function, a DIS signal with indicating the possession of an SEP signal receiving function is transmitted upon automatic reception and, after that, a DCN signal is transmitted if information to be polling transmitted does not exist in a memory box designated by the received SEP signal.

In the operation as mentioned above, however, in a facsimile apparatus on the side for performing the polling reception, since the DCN signal is received after transmission of a signal of a DTC group, although the operation is shifted to a line disconnection, a reason for the line disconnection is unclear.

That is, as reasons of the line disconnection in this case, there are considered various reasons such that: (1) the transmission information does not exist in the memory box designated by the SEP signal; (2) passwords do not coincide; (3) a polling transmitter determines that an illegal signal has been received; and the like. There is, consequently, a problem such that a proper correspondence cannot be made in response to the received DCN signal.

It is an object of the invention to provide a communicating apparatus which can allow a reception side apparatus to properly recognize that there is in a selective polling communication no polling transmission information in a designated memory box.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

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

To use a telephone network for a data communication or the like, an NCU (network control unit) 2 is connected to a terminal equipment of a line, performs a connection control of a telephone exchange network, performs a switching to a data communication path, or holds a loop. When a level of a signal (signal line 20 a ) from a control circuit 20 is equal to “0”, the NCU 2 connects a telephone line 2 a to the side of a telephone set 4 . When the signal level is equal to “1”, the NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2 a to the side of a facsimile apparatus. In an ordinary state, the telephone line 2 a is connected to the telephone set 4 side.

A hybrid circuit 6 separates a signal of a transmission system and a signal of a reception system, sends a transmission signal from an adding circuit 12 to the telephone line 2 a via the NCU 2 , receives a signal from the partner side via the NCU 2 , and transfers it to a modulator and demodulator (hereinafter, referred to as an MODEM) 8 via a signal line 6 a.

The MODEM 8 executes a modulation and a demodulation based on the ITU-T Recommendation V.8, V.21, V.27ter, V.29, V.17, and V.34 and each transmitting mode is designated by a signal line 20 c. The MODEM 8 inputs a signal outputted onto a signal line 20 b and outputs modulated data to a signal line 8 a. The MODEM 8 inputs a reception signal outputted onto the signal line 6 a and outputs demodulated data to a signal line 8 b.

An ANSam transmitting circuit 10 is a circuit for transmitting an ANSam signal. When a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to a signal line 20 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 10 transmits the ANSam signal to a signal line 10 a. When a signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 10 does not transmit any signal to the signal line 10 a.

The adding circuit 12 inputs information on the signal line 8 a and information on the signal line 10 a and outputs an addition result to a signal line 12 a. A reading circuit 14 reads an image of an original and outputs the read image data to a signal line 14 a. A recording circuit 16 sequentially records information outputted onto a signal line 20 e every line.

A memory circuit 18 is used to store raw information of the read data or encoded information or to store reception information or decoded information or the like.

A polling transmission information registering button (or key) 22 is a button (or key) which is depressed in case of designating a memory box and storing polling transmission information into the memory circuit 18 . When the button 22 is depressed, a depression pulse is generated on a signal line 22 a.

A polling reception selecting button (key) 24 is a button which is depressed when a polling reception is selected. When the button 24 is depressed, a depression pulse is generated to a signal line 24 a.

When a clear pulse is generated on a signal line 20 f, a polling reception selecting lamp 26 is lit off and, after that, light-on→light-off→light-on is repeated each time the depression pulse is generated on the signal line 24 a. The polling reception selecting lamp 26 generates a signal at the signal level “1” to a signal line 26 a when it is ON. The lamp 26 generates a signal at the signal level “0” when it is OFF.

An SEP address registering circuit 28 is a circuit for registering an SEP address in correspondence to the memory box. The SEP address registering circuit 28 registers SEP addresses in correspondence to maximum 100 memory boxes (0 to 99) through a signal line 28 a.

A display circuit 30 is a circuit such that in the case where a partner apparatus does not have an SEP receiving function, a message showing this fact is displayed to a facsimile apparatus (self apparatus) which has tried to perform a selective polling reception. When a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted on a signal line 20 g, the display circuit 30 displays such a message. When a signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 g, the display circuit 30 does not display such a message.

One-touch dial buttons (or keys), abbreviation dial buttons (or keys), ten-keys, * • # keys, a set key, a start key, a registering key to the circuit 28 , and other function keys are arranged on an operation unit (or console unit) 32 . Information of a depressed key is outputted to a signal line 32 a.

The control circuit 20 controls a whole facsimile apparatus which can perform a selective polling transmission and notifies the partner apparatus of the presence or absence of a receiving function of an SEP signal by an initial identification signal at the time of automatic reception. In response to a set state of polling transmission information of the self apparatus, the control circuit 20 executes processes for changing the presence or absence of the receiving function of the SEP signal upon automatic reception and notifying the partner apparatus of a change result.

Specifically speaking, if none of the polling transmission information exists in the memory box, a DIS signal in which bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is set to 0 (there is no SEP receiving function) is transmitted upon automatic reception. On the other hand, if at least one or more of the polling transmission information has been stored in the memory box, a DIS signal in which bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is set to 1 (there is the SEP receiving function) is transmitted upon automatic reception and, after that, when there is no polling transmission information in the designated memory box by the SEP signal transmitted from the partner apparatus, namely, the polling receiver, a DIS signal in which bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is set to 0 (there is no SEP receiving function) is transmitted and a message showing such a fact is notified to the partner apparatus.

In a polling receiving terminal which has received the DIS signal indicative of the absence of the SEP receiving function, a control is performed so as to display a message indicative of such a fact.

FIGS. 2 to 7 are flowcharts showing a flow for a control of the control circuit 20 in the embodiment.

The operation is started in step S 0 . In step S 2 , a signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 g, thereby setting a state where the absence of the SEP receiving function in the partner apparatus is not displayed on the display circuit 30 . In step S 4 , a clear pulse is generated on the signal line 20 f, thereby setting a state where the polling reception selecting lamp 26 is lit off.

In step S 6 , a signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 a, thereby turning off the CML. In step S 8 , a signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 d, thereby setting a state where the ANSam signal is not transmitted.

In step S 10 , information on the signal line 32 a is inputted and whether the registration to the registering circuit 28 has been selected or not is discriminated. When it is selected, step S 12 follows and the SEP address is registered into the registering circuit 28 through the signal line 28 a in correspondence to the memory box. The processing routine advances to step S 14 . When the registration is not selected, the processing routine directly advances to step S 14 .

In step S 14 , the information on the signal lines 22 a and 32 a are inputted and a check is made to see if the registration or erasure of the polling transmission information has been selected. If YES, step S 16 follows and the transmission information is stored into the memory circuit 18 or is erased from the memory circuit 18 , in correspondence to the memory box. The processing routine advances to step S 18 . If NO, the processing routine directly advances to step S 18 .

In step S 18 , whether there is the reception or not is discriminated. If YES, step S 20 follows. If NO, step S 60 follows.

In step S 20 , a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 20 a, thereby turning on the CML. In step S 22 , the time of 35 seconds is set into a T 1 timer.

In step S 24 , a check is made to see if at least one or more information to be polling transmitted exists in the memory box. If YES, step S 26 follows. If there is no information to be polling transmitted, step S 50 follows.

In step S 26 , an NSF/CSI/DIS signal (it is assumed that bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is equal to “1” and there is the SEP receiving function) is transmitted. In step S 28 , the time of 3 seconds is set into a T 4 timer.

In steps S 30 , S 32 , S 34 , and S 36 , a check is made to see if the NSS/TSI/DCS signal, SEP/NSC/CIG/DTC signal, or DCN signal has been received before the T 4 timer times out. When the NSS/TSI/DCS signal is received, step S 40 follows. When the SEP/NSC/CIG/DTC signal is received, step S 44 follows. When the DCN signal is received, step S 4 follows. When the T 4 timer times out, step S 38 follows.

In step S 38 , a check is made to see if the T 1 timer has timed out. If YES, step S 4 follows. If NO, step S 24 follows. In step S 40 , the reception and recording of the image signal are executed, a post procedure is executed (step S 42 ), and the processing routine advances to step S 4 .

In step S 44 , a check is made to see if the transmission information exists in the memory box designated by the SEP signal. If YES, step S 46 follows, the information stored in the designated memory box is polling transmitted. The post procedure is executed (S 48 ) and step S 4 follows.

When there is no transmission information in the memory box designated by the SEP signal, step S 50 follows. In step S 50 , the NSF/CSI/DIS signal (bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is set to “0” and there is not the SEP receiving function) is transmitted. In step S 52 , the time of 3 seconds is set into the T 4 timer.

In steps S 54 and S 56 , a check is made to see if the NSS/TSI/DCS signal has been received before the T 4 timer times out. When the NSS/TSI/DCS signal is received, step S 40 follows. When the T 4 timer times out, step S 58 follows.

In step S 58 , a check is made to see if the Ti timer has timed out. If YES, step S 4 follows. If NO, step S 50 follows.

In step S 60 , the information on the signal lines 26 a and 32 a is inputted and whether the polling reception has been selected or not is discriminated. When it is selected, step S 64 follows. If NO, step S 62 follows and another process is executed. Step S 4 follows.

In step S 64 , a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 20 a, thereby turning on the CML. In step S 66 , a call is issued to the designated destination. In step S 68 , the time of 35 seconds is set into the T 1 timer.

In steps S 70 and S 72 , a check is made to see if the NSF/CSI/DIS signal has been received before the T 1 timer times over. When the NSF/CSI/DIS signal is received, step S 74 follows. When the T 1 timer times out, step S 4 follows.

In step S 74 , a check is made to see if bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is equal to “1” (whether the SEP receiving function exists). If it is equal to “1”, step S 76 follows. If it is equal to “0”, step S 80 follows.

In step S 76 , the SEP/NSC/CIG/DTC signal is transmitted. In step S 78 , the time of 3 seconds is set into the T 4 timer and step S 86 follows.

In step S 80 , a signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 a, thereby turning off the CML. In step S 82 , a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 20 g and the partner apparatus displays a message indicative of the absence of the SEP receiving function on the display circuit 30 . After that, in step S 84 , the information on the signal line 32 a is inputted and whether some key has been operated or not is discriminated. If YES, step S 4 follows.

In steps S 86 , S 88 , and S 90 , a check is made to see if the NSS/TSI/DCS signal or the NSF/CSI/DIS signal has been received before the T 4 timer times out. When the NSS/TSI/DCS signal is received, step S 94 follows. When the NSF/CSI/DIS signal is detected, step S 98 follows. When the T 4 timer times out, step S 92 follows.

In step S 92 , whether the T 1 timer has timed out or not is discriminated. If YES, step S 4 follows. If NO, step S 76 follows.

In step S 94 , the polling reception and recording are executed. In step S 96 , a post procedure is executed and the processing routine advances to step S 4 .

In step S 98 , a check is made to see if bit 47 of the FIF in the DIS signal is equal to “1” (there is the SEP receiving function). If it is equal to “1”, step S 76 follows. If it is equal to “0”, step S 80 follows.

The operation of the control circuit as mentioned above is executed by the CPU in the control circuit on the basis of the program stored in an ROM, an RAM, or the like in the control circuit. However, the present invention may also be constructed in a manner such that this program is stored into any one of various external storing media such as floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptic disk, CD-ROM, memory card, and the like, the program is read out from such an external storing medium by a dedicated reading apparatus is stored into the control circuit, and the program is executed by the CPU in the control circuit.

Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the facsimile apparatus of the stand alone type as an example, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For instance, the present invention may be applied to a data communication control in a synthetic data processing system in which a copying function and an electronic filing function and, further, a data processing function are combined to a communicating function. The present invention may also be similarly applied to a communicating apparatus which is separated from a reading circuit or a recording circuit.

As described above, according to the present invention, the communicating apparatus on the side where the polling reception is performed can execute a proper control according to the set state of the polling transmission information of the communicating apparatus on the reception side. Specifically speaking, in the communicating apparatus on the reception side, a fact that there is no polling transmission information in the memory box designated by the SEP signal from the calling generating side can be recognized on the calling side, thereby enabling the polling receiving apparatus (calling side) to take a proper measure.

According to the present invention, in the case where there is the polling transmission information in at least one or more memory boxes and the polling transmission information does not exist in the memory box designated by the SEP signal, such a fact can be notified to the polling receiving apparatus, thereby enabling the partner apparatus to take a proper measure.

According to the present invention, the operator of the polling receiving apparatus can recognize that there is no polling transmission information in the designated memory box, thereby enabling the operator of the polling receiving apparatus to take a proper measure.