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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A communication terminal device which is connected to a communication
network through communication lines in which at least two information
channels used for transfer of switching information such as line switching
information or packet switching information and a signal channel used for
control of call of a distant communication terminal are disposed,
comprising:
one or more analog sources for receiving and outputting the switching
information as an analog signal;
a first and a second CODEC disposed in a first and a second information
channel, respectively, of the communication lines for encoding and
converting switching information, sent from the analog sources to the
respective information channels, to corresponding digital signals, and
decoding and converting switching information received from the respective
information channels to corresponding analog signals; and
a first and a second analog switch disposed between the analog sources and
the first and second CODECs so as to correspond to the first and second
CODECs for switching between the analog sources and the first and second
CODECs to send and receive signals to and from the analog sources and the
first and second CODECs, or between the analog sources to send and receive
signals to and from each other.
2. A communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the
communication terminal device includes a facsimile device which includes a
communication function control unit operative to a G4 facsimile mode, a
communication function control unit operative in a G3 facsimile mode as
the analog sources and a handset for performing a voice communication; and
wherein the second analog switch is switched such that a conductive signal
path is established between the second CODEC corresponding to the second
information channel and the communication function control unit operative
in the G3 facsimile mode when there is an incoming telephone call or an
originating telephone call in the first information channel during
communication of image information in the G4 facsimile mode, the incoming
telephone call or the originating telephone call being a request for
receipt or translation of image information in the G3 facsimile mode.
3. A communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the
facsimile device includes an image memory for storing image information
temporarily, and wherein the image information received through the second
CODEC and the communication function control unit operative in the G3
facsimile mode is temporarily stored in the image memory when a recording
section of the facsimile device is used during communication of the image
information in the G4 facsimile mode.
4. A communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the
communication terminal device includes a facsimile device which includes
at least a communication function control unit operative in a G3 facsimile
mode and a handset for making a voice communication as analog sources, and
wherein the analog switches are switched such that the first analog switch
renders conductive the signal path between the handset and the first CODEC
corresponding to the first information channel during telephone
communication through the handset in the first information channel and
that the second analog switch renders conductive the signal path between
the second CODEC corresponding to the second information channel and the
communication function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode
when there is an incoming telephone call in the second information channel
during the telephone communication, the incoming telephone call being a
request for receipt of the image information in the G3 facsimile mode.
5. A communication terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the
facsimile device further includes a tone detector as the analog source for
detecting an incoming tone requesting the receipt of image information in
the G3 facsimile mode; and
wherein the second analog switch first renders conductive the signal path
between the second CODEC and the tone detector when there is an incoming
telephone call in the second information channel and renders conductive
the signal path between the second CODEC and the communication function
control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode when an incoming tone
requesting the receipt of the image information in the G3 facsimile mode
is detected by the tone detector.
6. A communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the
communication terminal device includes at least a handset as the analog
source for making a voice communication; and
wherein the analog switches are switched such that the first analog switch
renders conductive the signal path between the handset and the first CODEC
corresponding to the first information channel during communication
through the handset in the first information channel, and that the first
analog switch temporarily releases the conduction between the first CODEC
and the handset, and the second analog switch renders conductive the
signal path between the handset and the second CODEC corresponding to the
second information channel when there is an incoming telephone call in the
second information channel during the telephone communication, the
incoming telephone call being a request for telephone communication with
the communication terminal device.
7. A communication terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the device
further includes means for generating a holding tone indicating that the
telephone communication is held; and
wherein the analog switches render conductive the signal path between the
holding tone generating means and the first CODEC which has been
temporarily released from the conduction with the handset.
8. A communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the device
includes at least a handset for making a voice communication and an
automatic answering telephone function unit for automatically receiving
voice information as the analog source; and
wherein the analog switches are switched such that the first analog switch
renders conductive the signal path between the handset and the first CODEC
corresponding to the first information channel during telephone
communication through the handset in the first information channel and
that the second analog switch renders conductive the signal path between
the automatic answering telephone function unit and the second CODEC
corresponding to the second information channel when there is an incoming
telephone call in the second information channel during the telephone
communication, the incoming telephone call being a request for telephone
communication with the communication terminal device.
9. A communication terminal device connected to a communication network via
communication lines in which at least two information channels used for
transfer of switching information such as line switching information or
packet switching information and a signal channel used for control of
calling an objective communication terminal are disposed, comprising:
a communication function control unit operative in a G4 facsimile mode;
a communication function control unit operative in a G3 facsimile mode;
a handset for making a voice communication;
a first and a second CODEC disposed in a first and second information
channel, respectively, in the communication lines for encoding and
converting switching information, sent from the handset or the
communication function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode to
the respective information channels, to digital signals, and decoding and
converting the switching information received from the respective
information channels to analog signals; and
an analog switch disposed among the handset and the communication function
control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode and the first and second
CODECs and controlled so as to render conductive the signal path between
the second CODEC corresponding to the second information channel and the
communication function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode
when there is an incoming telephone call or an originating telephone call
in the second information channel during communication of image
information in the G4 facsimile mode in the first information channel, the
incoming telephone call or originating telephone call being a request for
receipt or transmission of image information in the G3 facsimile mode.
10. A communication terminal device connected to a communication network
via communication lines in which at least two information channels used
for transfer of switching information such as line switching information
or packet switching information and a signal channel used for control of
calling an objective communication terminal are disposed, comprising:
a communication function control unit operative in a G4 facsimile mode;
a communication function control unit operative in a G3 facsimile mode;
a handset for making a voice communication;
a first and a second CODEC disposed in a first and second information
channel, respectively, in the communication lines for encoding and
converting switching information, sent from the handset or the
communication function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode to
the respective information channels, to digital signals, and decoding and
converting the switching information received from the respective
information channels to analog signals; and
an analog switch disposed among the handset and the communication function
control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode and the first and second
CODECs and controlled so as to render conductive the signal path between
the handset and the first CODEC corresponding to the first information
channel during communication through the handset in the first information
channel, and controlled so as to render conductive the signal path between
the second CODEC corresponding to the second information channel and the
communication function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode
while maintaining the conductive state between the first CODEC and the
handset when there is an incoming telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication, the incoming telephone call being
a request for receipt of image information in the G3 facsimile mode.
11. A communication terminal device according to claim 10, further
including a tone detector for detecting an incoming tone requesting the
receipt of image information in the G3 facsimile mode; and
wherein the analog switch first renders conductive the signal path between
the second CODEC and the tone detector when there is an incoming telephone
call in the second information channel and renders conductive the signal
path between the second CODEC and the communication function control unit
operative in the G3 facsimile mode when an incoming tone requesting the
receipt of the image information in the G3 facsimile mode is detected by
the tone detector.
12. A communication terminal device connected to a communication network
via communication lines in which at least two information channels used
for transfer of switching information such as line switching information
or packet switching information and a signal channel used for control of
calling an objective communication terminal are disposed, comprising:
a communication function control unit operative in a G4 facsimile mode;
a communication function control unit operative in a G3 facsimile mode;
a handset for making a voice communication;
a first and second CODEC disposed in a first and a second information
channel, respectively, in the communication lines for encoding and
converting switching information, sent from the handset or the
communication function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode to
the respective information channels, to digital signals, and decoding and
converting the switching information received from the respective
information channels to analog signals; and
an analog switch disposed among the handset and the communication function
control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode and the first and second
CODECs and controlled so as to render conductive the signal path between
the handset and the first CODEC corresponding to the first information
channel during communication through the handset in the first information
channel, and controlled so as to temporarily release the conductive state
between the handset and the first CODEC and render conductive the signal
path between the handset and the second CODEC corresponding to the second
information channel, the communication function control unit being
operative in the G3 facsimile mode while maintaining the conductive state
between the first CODEC and the handset when there is an incoming
telephone call in the second information channel during the telephone
communication, the incoming telephone call being a request for telephone
communication with the communication terminal device.
13. A communication terminal device according to claim 12, further
including means for generating a holding tone indicating that the
telephone communication is held; and
wherein the analog switches render conductive the signal path between the
holding tone generating means and the first CODEC which has been
temporarily released from the conduction with the handset.
14. A communication terminal device connected to a communication network
via communication lines in which at least two information channels used
for transfer of switching information such as line switching information
or packet switching information and a signal channel used for control of
calling an objective communication terminal are disposed, comprising:
a communication function control unit operative in a G4 facsimile mode;
a communication function control unit operative in a G3 facsimile mode;
a handset for making a voice communication;
an automatic answering telephone function unit;
a first and a second CODEC disposed in a first and second information
channel, respectively, in the communication lines for encoding and
converting switching information, sent from the handset, the communication
function control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode, or the automatic
answering telephone function unit to the respective information channels,
to digital signals, and decoding and converting the switching information
received from the respective information channels to analog signals; and
an analog switch disposed among the handset, the communication function
control unit operative in the G3 facsimile mode and the automatic
answering telephone function unit, and the first and second CODECs and
controlled so as to render conductive the signal path between the handset
and the first CODEC corresponding to the first information channel during
communication through the handset in the first information channel, and
controlled so as to render conductive the signal path between the second
CODEC corresponding to the second information channel and the automatic
answering function unit while maintaining the conductive state between the
first CODEC and the handset when there is an incoming telephone call in
the second information channel during the telephone communication, the
incoming telephone call being a request for telephone communication with
the communication terminal device. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication terminal device connected
to a communication network via information channels used for transmission
of line switching information, packet switching information or the like
and a signal channel used for control of a call to an objective
communication terminal, and more particularly to a communication terminal
device which performs efficient communication processings using the
information channels effectively in a communication network in which at
least two channels are disposed as the information channels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An information channel for transfer of switching information and a signal
channel for transfer of control information may be separated in a
communication network such that control information can be transmitted,
for example, via the signal channel separately, at any time from voice
information or image information as switching information, or such that a
plurality of information channels can be controlled via a single signal
channel to provide various services different in nature such as telephone,
telex or facsmile synthetically and efficiently. One such network is known
conventionally as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).
In ISDN, the information channels and the signal channels are called B- and
D-channels, respectively. Especially in the D-channel, identification
information on a caller's communication terminal is transmitted
additionally as the control information. Therefore, in the called
communication terminal, it can be known, in accordance with the
identification information on the caller's communication terminal
transmitted via the D-channel, which of the communication terminals has
transmitted the information (voice information and image information) in
the B-channel.
In ISDN, a plurality of channels is provided as information channels
(B-channels) in order to controllably handle various services different in
nature such as telephone, telex and facsimile. Thus, the transmission of
information is possible in the form of simultaneous transmission of voice
information and image information using two empty information channels.
More specifically, if there is an incoming telephone call in a first
information channel during communication of image information in a G4
facsimile mode in a second information channel, simultaneous communication
of image and voice is selected to continue the operation between the
appropriate communication terminal device.
According to such ISDN, it is true that the above various services can be
realized synthetically and efficiently, and also simultaneous
communication of image and voice is possible, as mentioned above, but, for
example, the existing facsimile device connected to the ISDN is limited in
use to the communication of image information in the G4 facsimile mode and
voice information on regular telephone communication although simultaneous
communication of image and voice is possible, so that the efficient use of
the whole communication network is not necessarily achieved.
For example, the following requirements are essential for realizing a very
significant form of use in order to improve the user interface as the
communication terminal device or in order to improve the communication
efficiency of the whole communication network:
(a) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during the communication of image information in the G4 facsimile
mode in the first information channel, the originating telephone call
relating to a request for receipt of image information in the G3 facsimile
mode, the call should be received;
(b) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication in the first information channel,
the originating telephone call relating to a request for receipt of image
information in the G3 facsimile mode, the call should be received;
(c) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication in the first information channel,
the call relating to a request for telephone communication, the call
should be received; and
(d) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication in the first information channel,
the call relating to a request for telephone communication, the call
should be recorded by an automatic answering system.
However, some existing communication terminal devices cannot virtually
realize these requirements in whatever manner they are connected to the
ISDN.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
communication terminal device which is excellent in the user interface,
and greatly improves the communication efficiency on the basis of the
efficient use of at least two information channels for transferring of
switching information in a communication network which also has a signal
channel for transferring of control information.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a communication
terminal device which is capable of properly realizing simultaneous
communication of image information in the G4 and G3 facsimile modes,
simultaneous communication of voice information and image information in
the G3 facsimile mode, and simultaneous communication of two kinds of
voice information.
In order to achieve such object, according to the present invention, two
CODECs are provided in any corresponding information channels between
analog sources such as a handset and a communication function control unit
operative in a G3 facsimile mode and the information channels to encode
the switching information sent from an analog source to an information
channel to a digital signal and to decode the switching information
received from an information channel to an analog signal. Analog switches
are provided between the analog sources and the CODECs and switched so as
to transmit and receive signals to and from desired ones of the analog
sources and the CODECs.
By such arrangement, the following operations are easily realized depending
on the aspects in which the analog switches are switched;
(a) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during the communication of image information in the G4 facsimile
mode in the first information channel, the originating telephone call
relating to a request for receipt of image information in the G3 facsimile
mode, the call should be received (The signal path between the CODEC
corresponding to the second information channel and the communication
function control unit in the G3 facsimile mode is conducted.);
(b) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication in the first information channel,
the originating telephone call relating to a request for receipt of image
information in the G3 facsimile mode, the call should be received (The
signal path between the handset and the CODEC corresponding to the first
information channel is maintained while the signal path between the CODEC
corresponding to the second information channel and the communication
function control unit in the G3 facsimile mode is connected.);
(c) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication in the first information channel,
the call relating to a request for telephone communication, the call
should be received (The connection between the handset and the CODEC
corresponding to the first information channel is temporarily released and
the signal path between the handset and the CODEC corresponding to the
second information channel is connected.); and
(d) When there is an originating telephone call in the second information
channel during telephone communication in the first information channel,
the call relating to a request for telephone communication, the call
should be recorded by an automatic answering system (The connection
between the handset and the CODEC corresponding to the first information
channel is maintained while the signal path between the automatic
answering function unit and the CODEC corresponding to the second
information channel is connected.).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a communication terminal
device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
communication terminal device, according to the present invention,
performed when there is an originating call.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the simultaneous processings performed
by the communication terminal device of FIG. 1 when there is an
originating call or an incoming call during G4 facsimile communication.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are (Part I and Part II) each a flowchart showing the
simultaneous processing performed by the communication terminal device of
FIG. 1 when there is an incoming telephone call.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a communication terminal device
according to the present invention. In the particular embodiment, for
convenience, the ISDN, mentioned above, will be considered as the
communication network and a facsimile device will be considered as the
communication terminal device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the device of the first embodiment mainly includes a
main control unit 1 which systematically controls the whole device, a file
unit (an image memory) 2 in which image data is temporarily stored as
needed, an operation section 10 which transmits and receives data to and
from the user (operator), an image processor 20 which performs image
processings such as image reading and recording as a facsimile unit, a
network communication unit 30 which performs communication (call)
processings on an outgoing and an incoming call between the particular
device and the ISDN, a FAX communication control unit 40 which realizes a
communication control function in accordance with facsimile processes in
so-called G3 and G4 modes, a voice control unit 50 which realizes the
communication control function in accordance with predetermined processes
given by so-called telephone line information mainly including voice
information and which realizes the simultaneous communication of two kinds
of information in various forms to be described later in more detail as
the particular device, and a handset 60 connected to the voice control
unit 50 for transmitting and receiving direct voice information to and
from the operator.
The structure and function of these elements will now be described in more
detail. The operation section 10 includes a keyboard 11 which performs a
call originating operation and other keying-in operations, a display 12
which visually displays information on operation guides and other
necessary information, an operation control unit 13 which transmits the
information keyed in at the keyboard 11 to the main control unit 1, and
displays on the display 12 the information from the keyboard 11 and
commands on display from the main control unit 1. The regular call
origination by the operator is performed through the operation section 10
(the main control unit 1 recognizes the originating call and starts the
FAX communication control unit 40 or voice control unit 50). The number of
the terminal which has brought about the incoming call is also displayed
and reported to the operator via the operation section 10.
The image processor 20 includes a reader 22 which reads an image in an
original document received via an image sensor 21 such as a CCD, a reader
control unit 23 which properly controls the reading of the image by the
reader 22 and converts the read image into a binary image signal, a
recording unit 25 which records on paper an image corresponding to the
image signal (binary signal) via a recording head 24 such as a thermal
head, a recording control unit 26 which supplies the image signal to the
recording unit 25 and properly controls the recording operation of the
recording unit 25, and an image buffer 27 which buffers the image signal
received from the reader control unit 23 while transferring the buffered
image signal to the FAX communication control unit 40, or buffers the
image data received from the FAX communication control unit 40 while
supplying the buffered information to the recording control unit 26, in
accordance with commands from the main control unit 1. The image processor
20 performs well-known image reading and image recording operations as the
facsimile device.
The network communication unit 30 includes a network interface 31 connected
to an ISDN via the B- and D-channels (not shown), and a first and a second
network control units 32 and 33 connected to the network interface 31 to
separately perform operations for originating and receiving calls mainly
to and from the ISDN. The first network control unit 32 performs the above
call processes in a first channel (hereinafter referred to as a first
information channel) ch1 of the B-channels (information channels) while
the second network control unit 33 performs the above call processes in a
second channel (hereinafter referred to as a second information channel)
ch2 of the B channels.
The voice control unit 50 includes a voice memory 51 which has an area in
which an incoming tone signal produced when there is an incoming telephone
call, a holding tone produced when telephone communication is held, and a
voice message which informs the caller of the possible use of an automatic
answering function are stored beforehand as digital voice information. An
area in which the voice information received from the caller is recorded
as digital voice information when an automatic answering function is used,
one of these voice information segments being selectively read or written
from or in the memory 51, in accordance with each command from the main
control unit 1, a voice CODEC 52 which converts (decodes) the voice
information (digital signal) read out from the voice memory 51 to an
analog signal, and converts (decodes) voice information (an analog signal)
written in the voice memory 51 to a digital signal, a tone detector 53
which detects an incoming tone (tone signal) indicative of a request for
receipt of image data in a G3 facsimile mode, a first PCM CODEC 54
provided in the first information channel ch1 for converting (decoding) a
digital signal (PCM signal) received via the first information channel ch1
to an analog signal and supplies it to the voice control unit 50, converts
(encodes) an analog signal, transmitted from the voice control unit 50 to
the first information channel ch1, to a digital signal (PCM signal) and
outputting the resulting signal, a second PCM CODEC 55 disposed in the
second information channel ch2 for converting (decoding) the digital
signal (PCM signal) received via the second information channel ch2 to an
analog signal and storing it in the voice control unit 50, converting
(decoding) the analog signal, supplied from the voice control unit 50 to
the second information channel ch2, to a digital signal (PCM signal) and
outputting the digital signal, a first and a second analog switch 56 and
57 disposed among the first and second PCM CODECs 54 and 55 and analog
sources (analog signal inputting/outputting units such as the voice memory
51 via the voice CODEC 52, tone detector 53, the G3 facsimile mode
communication function unit in the FAX communication control unit 40 and
handset 60 for switching the conductive states among four terminals a, b,
c and d, a G3-interface 58 between the voice control unit 50 and the G3
facsimile mode communication function unit in the FAX communication
control unit 40, and an adder 59 disposed, as shown, between the
respective first and second analog switches 56 and 57 and handset 60 for
adding analog voice information signals.
The respective terminals a of the first and second analog switches 56 and
57 are connected in common to the analog input/output terminal of the
voice CODEC 52 and to a tone signal detection terminal of the tone
detector 53, the respective terminals b of the analog switches 56 and 57
are connected to the analog input/output terminals of the corresponding
PCM CODECs, the respective terminals c of the analog switches 56 and 57
are connected in common to the G3 interface 58, and the respective
terminals d are connected to one input/output terminal of the adders 59.
The first and second analog switches 56 and 57 are controlled independently
so that the simultaneous communication of two kinds of information is
realized in several forms, which are conventionally considered to be
impossible, in accordance with the respective switched states of the
analog switches.
FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the various operations of the communication terminal
device of the particular embodiment, mainly the operations of the main
control unit 1, and the respective operational mechanisms of the
communication terminal device will be described in detail with reference
to FIGS. 2-6 together.
The operation of the communication terminal device related to general
outgoing and incoming calls in the case of facsimile (FAX) communication
and regular voice communication (telephone communication) will be
described. Call origination is performed by the call originating operation
of the main control unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 2. Assume now that the
operator performs a predetermined calling operation to any particular
subscriber through the keyboard 11 of the operation unit 10 in accordance
with appropriate guides for operation displayed on the display 12 of the
operation unit 10. The communication terminal device starts the
processings, recited below, in accordance with the recognition of the
calling operation by the main control unit 1 (step 201 of FIG. 2):
(1) When the main control unit 1 recognizes the calling operation in
accordance with a report on the keyboard operation from the operation
control unit 13, it determines whether the calling operation requires
facsimile (FAX) communication via the operation control unit 13 or voice
communication (telephone communication) (step 202 of FIG. 2);
(2) As a result, if the main control unit 1 determines that the calling
operation requires FAX communication, it starts the FAX communication
control unit 40 and outputs a call request to the network control unit 32
or 33 via the FAX communication control unit 40 (step 203 of FIG. 2). In
accordance with the call request, the network control unit 32 or 33
performs a predetermined calling process via the network interface 31 to a
desired objective terminal. Thereafter, the main control unit 1 starts the
image processor 20 (reader 22) on condition that the communication enable
state is brought about by the execution of the calling process to start
transmission of the image data via an empty information channel;
(3) As the result of the determination (step 202 of FIG. 2), if the main
control unit determines that the calling operation requires voice
communication (telephone communication), it starts the voice control unit
50, and outputs a calling request via the voice control unit 50 to the
network control unit 32 or 33 (step 204 of FIG. 2). In accordance with
this calling request, the network control unit 32 or 33 performs a
predetermined calling process via the network interface 31 to the desired
objective terminal. Thereafter, the main control unit 1 controls the
analog switches 56 and 57 so as to render conductive the path between the
terminals b and d of a switch corresponding to an empty information
channel, and logically connects the handset 60 to the empty information
channel. By the above processing by the main control unit 1, FAX
communication or voice communication (telephone communication) is started.
Simultaneous communication of image data/voice data is possible via two
empty information channels in the case of the facsimile communication (in
a G4 mode) and regular voice communication considered.
The incoming call operation is performed by the main control unit 1 as
illustrated in FIG. 3. Assume now that a call is originated for requesting
communication (facsimile communication or regular voice communication) to
the communication terminal device of FIG. 1 by another communication
terminal (a facsimile unit, not shown) connected to the ISDN. The
communication terminal which has originated the call first sends to the
ISDN a signal to call the communication terminal device of the particular
embodiment. The call signal usually includes data indicative of the
subscriber number allocated beforehand to the caller.
The call signal sent to the ISDN is received as an incoming signal by the
network control units 32 or 33 in the communication terminal device via
the ISDN circuit (D-channel) and the network interface 31. When the
network control unit 32 or 33 receives the incoming signal, the
communication terminal device starts to perform processings recited below
in accordance with the recognition of the incoming signal by the main
control unit 1 (step 301 of FIG. 3):
(1) When the main control unit 1 recognizes the incoming call in accordance
with a report on the incoming call from the network control unit 32 or 33,
it determines whether the incoming call signal requires FAX communication
or voice communication (telephone communication) via the network control
unit 32 or 33 (step 302 of FIG. 3);
(2) As a result, if the main control unit 1 determines that the incoming
signal requires FAX communication, it performs a predetermined incoming
signal response process via the FAX communication control unit 40 and
network control unit 32 or 33 (step 303 of FIG. 3). Thereafter, the main
control unit 1 starts the image processor 20 (recording unit 25) to
receive image data on condition that communication enable state is brought
about by the execution of the incoming signal response process. The image
data received and subsequent to the incoming call signal is supplied to
the network control units 32 or 33 via an empty information channel,
appropriately demodulated via the FAX communication control unit 40,
transferred to the image buffer processor 37, and recorded on recording
paper via the recording unit 35; and
(3) As the result of the determination (step 302 of FIG. 3), if the main
control unit 1 determines that the incoming call signal requires voice
communication (telephone communication), it performs a predetermined
incoming signal response process via the voice control unit 50 and network
control units 32 or 33 (step 304 of FIG. 3). Thereafter, the main control
unit 1 controls the analog switches 56 or 57 so as to render conductive
the path between the terminals b and d of the switches 56 or 57
corresponding to an empty information channel on condition that the
communication enable state is brought about by the execution of the
incoming call response process to thereby connect the handset 60 logically
to the empty information channel.
By the above operation of the main control unit 1, a separate processing is
performed whether it is directed to FAX communication or to voice
communication (telephone communication). Also in this case, simultaneous
communication of image data and voice data is possible through two empty
information channels in the facsimile communication (in the G4 mode) and
regular voice communication considered here.
As a specific example of the operation of the device meeting the actual
situation, various operations of the device performed, for example, when
there is a request for an originating call or an incoming call in the
second information channel during G4 facsimile communication through the
first information channel, will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
Assume now that when G4 facsimile communication is being performed through
the first information channel, the operator performs the predetermined
calling operation to any particular subscriber. The device starts the
following processing in accordance with the recognition of the calling
operation by the main control unit 1 (step 410 of FIG. 4):
(1) When the main control unit 1 recognizes the calling operation in
accordance with a report on the keyboard operation from the operation
control unit 13, it determines whether the calling operation requires FAX
communication in the G3 mode or voice communication (telephone
communication) through the operation control unit 13 (step 411 of FIG. 4);
(2) As a result, if the control unit 1 determines that the calling
operation requires FAX communication in the G3 mode, it starts the G3 mode
communication control function part of the FAX communication control unit
40 and outputs a calling request to the network control unit 33 through
the G3 mode communication control function part (step 412 of FIG. 4).
Thus, the network control unit 33 performs a predetermined calling process
to the desired objective subscriber through the network interface 31, as
mentioned above;
(3) Thereafter, the main control unit 1 sets the second analog switch 57
corresponding to the second information channel ch2 in the voice control
unit 50 so as to render conductive the path between the terminals b and c
of the second analog switch 57 (step 41 of FIG. 4) and starts a
predetermined FAX communication processing in the G3 mode through the
image processor 20, FAX communication control unit 40, G3 interface 58,
second analog switch 57, second PCM CODEC 55, and second network control
unit 33 (step 415 of FIG. 4). The image processing in that case is
performed using the portion of the image processor 20 other than its
portion used in the G4 mode (for example, using the reader 22 if the
facsimile communication in the G4 mode performed now involves recording
(receive) image data). Of course, it is not performed, so if desired,
tranmitted image data is stored beforehand in the file section (image
memory) 2 in the G3 mode. In that case, simultaneous communication in the
G4/G3 modes is possible irrespective of how the image processor 20 is
used. If communication enable state is not brought out for the convenience
of the objective subscriber although the calling process is performed
(step 413 of FIG. 4), the main control unit 1 shifts to a standby state
for a new originating call or an incoming call;
(4) As the result of the determination (1) (step 411 of FIG. 4), if the
main control unit determines that the calling operation requires voice
communication (telephone communication), it starts the voice control unit
50 to output an originating call request to the network control unit 33
through the voice control unit 50 (step 416 of FIG. 4). Thus, the network
control unit 33 performs a desired calling process to the desired
objective subscriber through the network interface 31, as mentioned above;
and
(5) Thereafter, the main control unit 1 sets the second analog switch 57
corresponding to the second information channel ch2 in the voice control
unit 50 so as to render conductive the path between the terminals b and d
of the switch 57 (step 418 of FIG. 4) to thereby enable communication
through the handset 60, adder 59, second analog switch 57, second PCM
CODEC 55 and second network control unit 33 (step 411 of FIG. 4). If the
communication enable state is not brought about for the convenience of the
objective subscriber even by the execution of the calling process (step
417 of FIG. 4), the main control unit 1 shifts to a standby state for a
new originating call or a new incoming call.
Similarly, if the incoming call signal mentioned above is received at the
network control unit 33 when G4 facsimile communication is being performed
in the first information channel, the communication terminal device
performs the following processings in accordance with the recognition of
the incoming call by the main control unit 1 (step 420 of FIG. 4):
(1) When the main control unit 1 recognizes the incoming call in accordance
with a report on the incoming call from the network control unit 33, it
determines whether the incoming call signal is directed to facsimile (FAX)
in a G4 mode or an incoming telephone call (step 421 of FIG. 4);
(2) As a result, if the main control unit 1 determines that the incoming
call signal is directed to an incoming facsimile (G4 mode) call, it makes
a BUSY response to the caller through the FAX communication control unit
40 and network control unit 33 (step 422 of FIG. 4) and shifts to a
standby state for a new originating call or an incoming call;
(3) As the result of the determination (step 421 of FIG. 4), if the main
control unit determines that the incoming call signal is directed to an
incoming telephone call, it makes a predetermined response to the incoming
call through the voice control unit 50 and network control unit 33, and
sets the second analog switch 57 corresponding to the second information
channel ch2 in the voice control unit 50 so as to render conductive the
path between the terminals a and b of the analog switch 57 (step 423 of
FIG. 4) to logically connect the tone detector 53 to the second
information channel (second PCM CODEC 55) which has received the incoming
call and to determine whether the tone signal has been received (step 424
of FIG. 4);
(4) As a result, if the main control unit 1 determines that the tone signal
has been received, namely, that the incoming telephone call is a request
for facsimile receipt in the G3 mode, it sets the second analog switch 57
so as to render conductive the path between the terminals b and c (step
425 of FIG. 4) of the switch 57, and starts a predetermined FAX
communication (receipt) in the G3 mode through the second network control
unit 33, second PCM CODEC 55, second analog switch 57, G3-interface 58,
FAX communication control unit 40 and image processor 20 (step 426 of FIG.
4). The image processing in that case is performed through the portion of
the image processor 20 other than its portion used in the G4 mode (for
example, through the recording unit 25 if the facsimile communication
which is being performed in the G4 mode is directed to reading
(transmission) of image data). Of course, in this case, received image
data may be stored in t | | |
