DE4439195A1 - Design for fax modem - Google Patents

Abstract

The figure given shows the circuit of the fax modem, and all the units of the fax-modem (1) are accommodated in the housing suitable for supplying the computing equipment. The fax-modem is connected by the lead (12) and the RS232 interface with the computer (2), while an internal modem (8) couples the fax-modem to the telephone line (13). The controller (9) is coupled by control lines with the RS232 interface (7), the configuration unit (4), the transmitting unit (5), the receiving unit (6), the internal modem (8), the document memory (10) and the power pack (11).

Description

The invention relates to a device for sending and Emp catch fax messages or files and output them or processing using a computer.

Conventional fax machines have a paper version message scanned by a scanner and by one Sending unit z. B. via the telephone network to a selected one Transfer fax machine. The receiving fax machine prints the sent message again in paper form.

To the detour via the After each available in paper form fax modems in the form of additional developed counters or plug-in cards for personal computers, with which direct fax messages or data from the computer can be sent without creating a paper template must become. The respective remote station can also do this a computer with a fax modem or a conventional fax Device. The possibility of that incoming fax messages are stored in the computer and can also be processed. An expression of the Fax messages are only sent when needed. Starting point of the Sending and destination of reception is in any case Computer memory. The fax modem is only an intermediary between the computer and the telephone line. The communica tion between the computer and the remote station is controlled by a realized software installed on the computer, d. H. a Communication is only possible when the computer is switched on and active fourth software possible. To like a conventional fax The device must be able to receive faxes constantly the computer is always on.

Furthermore, fax machines are known, which have a Compu have connection. With these devices, at out  switched on computer, fax messages are constantly being received. It is also possible to create documents created on the computer send directly. Sending / receiving data files is however not possible, so no communication with mail boxes or similar. Also fax messages can be switched off Computer can only be sent through a paper template.

Fax modems are also known as add-on devices, which are equipped with an additional document storage, in which the incoming fax messages are switched off Computer. The stored information can be read later on the computer or from if needed are given. These solutions are particularly disadvantageous that no fax messages when the computer is switched off or data can be sent, e.g. B. for the purpose of cost-effective sending at times with a discount tariff is necessary is.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device create with the fax created on a computer Messages or data files when the computer is switched off sends and receives data and fax messages of all kinds can be gen. Communication must be with conventional Fax machines, computers with fax modems, mailboxes, etc. possible his.

This task is carried out by a fax modem with that in the patent claim 1 resolved characteristics.

The invention has the advantage that he on the computer provided data files or fax messages independent of the computer ter can be sent so that it is otherwise ge can be used or switched off. You can also incoming data or fax messages are also independent of Computer received and saved. The saved Data is saved even when the fax modem is switched off buffered saved. Fax created on the computer  However, messages or data files can also be sent directly without Storage in the fax modem will be sent. It is also possible Lich, fax messages or data files without intermediate storage received directly on the computer.

An embodiment of the invention is based on the figure explained in more detail.

The figure shows a block diagram of the fax modem according to the invention. All functional devices of the fax modem 1 are housed in a housing designed as an accessory. The fax modem 1 is connected to the computer 2 via the RS 232 interface via a connecting line 12 . The internal modem 8 connects the fax modem 1 with the telephone line 13th The controller 9 is connected via control lines to the RS 232 interface 7 , the configuration device 4 , the transmitting device 5 , the receiving device 6 , the internal modem 8 , the document memory 10 and the power supply device 11 .

After the communication software and the configuration software have been activated in the computer 2 , the configuration of the fax modem is carried out via the configuration device 4 . The configuration device 4 is designed so that no special fax software is required to operate the fax modem, but standard software can be used.

Two operating modes can be set via the configuration device 4 .

In normal operation, 5 transmission data (fax messages or data files) can be transmitted directly from the computer 2 to the internal modem 8 via the transmission device 5 and from there via the telephone line 13 to the remote station 3 . Likewise, incoming data (fax messages or data files) from the internal modem 8 can be transmitted directly to the computer 2 via the telephone line 13 from the remote station 3 .

In automatic operation, that is to say independently of the computer 2 , the transmission device 5 transmits transmission data previously stored in the document memory 10 via the internal modem 8 and the telephone line 13 at the desired time to the selected ge counterpart 3 . The remote station 3 can be a conventional fax machine or a computer with a fax modem. The internal modem 8 contains a fax controller and is able to correct errors and compress data. It also takes over the independent setup and removal of the connections. The transmission device 5 maintains a transmission journal. The receiving device 6 uses the internal modem 8 to receive received data from the remote station 3 in the document memory 10 and maintains a receiving journal. Document memory 10 permanently stores the send and receive data. A storage capacity of approx. 30 A4 pages is advantageous. The stored data can be accessed from the computer 2 , so that the send and receive data can be further processed on the computer or printed out if necessary.

If a power failure occurs during ongoing communication, the power supply unit 11 takes over the further supply of all components via a mains-powered accumulator, so that the communication can be ended properly. With a battery, the content of the document memory 10 and the memory content of the configuration device 4 is backed up and the internal clock operated in the event of a power failure or the fax modem switched off.

Reference list

1 fax modem
2 computers
3 remote station
4 configuration facility
5 transmitting device
6 receiving device
7 RS 232 interface
8 internal modem
9 controllers
10 document memories
11 power supply device
12 connecting cable to PC
13 telephone line

Claims (3)

1. Fax modem with memory, as an accessory for computers, with a device for storing received fax messages when the computer is off, characterized in that the fax modem additionally has a Sendeeinrich device for computer independent transmission of the stored in the document memory Has fax messages. 2. Fax modem according to claim 1, characterized in that the fax modem is a configuration device for on provide a computer-dependent and a computer-independent dependent operating mode. 3. Fax modem according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the fax modem is a power supply tion with a mains-powered accumulator, which at Power failure to continue supplying everyone at an ongoing Communication involved components guaranteed, and that the power supply unit also has a battery for long-term backup of the content of the document storage contains in the event of a power failure or the fax modem is switched off.