JPH01112859A - Facsimile adapter equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a storing means into small capacity and to improve communication speed and to reduce communication fee by providing the storing means of picture data and starting transmission after the picture data transferred from a host equipment is accumulated up to prescribed quantity. CONSTITUTION:30% or 50% of transfer data is informed as designated quantity from a personal computer 3 to a facsimile adapter equipment 1 according as respectively when transfer speed is equal to transmission speed or when the transfer speed is slower than the transmission speed. When the facsimile adapter equipment 1 starts to receive the picture data from the personal computer 3, it checks whether the quantity of the received data has reached the designated quantity or not, and when the received data reaches the designated quantity, the CPU 11 of the facsimile adapter equipment 1 instructs a network controller 15 to originate a call, and starts communication as following a usual G3 facsimile procedure. Thus, transmission processing time is shortened. Consequently, the communication fee can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile adapter device, and in particular:
The present invention relates to a facsimile adapter device that receives and receives image data from a host device and transmits it according to facsimile communication procedures.

(Prior Art) Recently, it has become common to transmit data created using a personal computer, word processor, etc. as image data through a telephone line using a facsimile communication procedure.

In this case, a facsimile adapter device is used as a device for transmitting image data from a personal computer or the like according to a facsimile communication procedure, and a host device such as a personal computer and the facsimile adapter device are connected by an R3-232C code.

Generally, when a facsimile adapter device receives a transmission request from a host device, it first calls the other device, such as a facsimile device, and establishes a line by exchanging facsimile control signals. The facsimile adapter device then receives and receives image data from the host device and transmits it to the other device in real time. In this case, from the host device to the facsimile adapter device is an MH (Modified Hu
Image data encoded using the FFMAN Coding method or the like is transferred asynchronously through an R3-232G code, and the image data is transmitted from the facsimile adapter device in real time using a synchronous method.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional facsimile adapter devices, image data transferred from the host device in an asynchronous manner is sent to the other party's device in a synchronous manner. If the image data is transmitted at the same transmission speed as the transfer speed between the host device and the host device, the image data from the host device will not arrive in time for transmission from the facsimile adapter device. Therefore, conventionally, "0" is placed before the end of line code (EOL) until the next line of image data is transferred.
Add a FILL bit, or set the transmission speed from the facsimile adapter device to be slower than the transmission speed from the host device (for example, set the transfer speed from the host device to 9600 bps, and set the transmission speed from the facsimile adapter device to 9600 bps). (4800bpS) Image data was being transmitted. As a result, with the method of adding fills, the transmission time increases by the amount of fill added, and with the method of changing the transfer speed and transmission speed, the transmission time becomes even longer, resulting in longer line connection times and higher communication charges. There was a problem.

A conceivable method for solving this problem is to provide a memory in the facsimile adapter device, temporarily store image data from the host device in this memory, and then call and transmit the image data to the other party's device.

However, this method not only requires a large amount of memory and increases the cost of the facsimile adapter, but also requires a long time from when the host issues a transmission request until the facsimile adapter starts sending. Although communication costs can be reduced, a new problem arises in that overall transmission time becomes longer.

(Objective of the Invention) In Part 5, the present invention provides a facsimile adapter device with an image data storage means, and when a predetermined amount of image data transferred from the host device is accumulated in the storage means, the facsimile adapter device stores the image data from the facsimile adapter device. By starting the transmission,
In addition to reducing the storage capacity of the storage means, image data can be sent at the same transmission speed as that from the host device without causing image data shortages, reducing the cost of the facsimile adapter device and reducing communication charges due to improved communication speed. The aim is to reduce the

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a facsimile adapter device that is connected to a host device that processes image data and transmits image data transferred from the host device via a line using a facsimile communication procedure. The apparatus is characterized in that a storage means for storing image data is provided, and upon receiving a transmission request from the host device, transmission is started when a predetermined amount of image data transferred from the host device is accumulated in the storage means. That is.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on examples.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the case of transmitting data from a personal computer to a facsimile machine.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system using the facsimile adapter device of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a facsimile adapter device 1, which is connected via an R3-232C cable 2 to a personal computer 3, which is a host device. Further, a telephone set 4 is connected to the facsimile adapter device 1, and the facsimile adapter device 1 is connected to a facsimile device 7 via a line 5 and an exchange 6.

The personal computer 3 is equipped with an image processing function and a data compression function, and compresses the image data (for example, by using the MH method) and transfers the compressed image data to the facsimile adapter device 1 . Personal computer 3 to facsimile adapter device.

The transfer speed of image data to the facsimile adapter device 1 is changed according to the transmission speed from the facsimile adapter device 1 to the facsimile device 7. For example, if the transmission speed from the facsimile adapter device 1 is 9600 bps, the transfer speed to the facsimile adapter device 1 is changed. The speed is also 9600 bps, and the transmission speed from facsimile adapter device 1 is 4800 bps.
Therefore, the transfer speed to the facsimile adapter device 1 is also 4800 bps. Image data is transferred from the personal computer 3 to the facsimile adapter device 1 using an asynchronous method, and transmission from the facsimile adapter device 1 is performed using a synchronous method. in this case,
The transmission speed from the facsimile adapter Wll is determined by the model of the facsimile machine 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile adapter device 1 includes:
CPU (Central Processing U)
ntt) 11, ROM (Read Only Me
mory) 12, RAM (Random Acce
ss MemoryH3, modem 14, network control device 15
and an R3-232C interface 16, to which the R3-232C cable 2 connected to the personal computer 3 is connected.

A control program for performing processing as the facsimile adapter device 1 is stored in the ROM 12, and the RA
M13 stores image data transferred from the personal computer 3 and image data sent from the facsimile machine 7 through the line 5, and forms a work area.

The CPU II controls the storage and reading of image data in the RAM 13, and also imports external data into the RAM 13 according to the control program in the ROM 12.
The facsimile adapter device 1 executes the sequence as the facsimile adapter device 1 while exchanging data with the facsimile adapter device 3, and also executes the processing program of the present invention.

, Next, the operation will be explained.

The facsimile adapter device of the present invention is characterized by shortening the total processing time when receiving and receiving image data from the personal computer 3 and transmitting it to the other party's facsimile device 7. has been improved as well.

First, the transmission process will be explained based on the time charts and flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

Transmission (K III) The personal computer 3 outputs an open command (LFO) requesting processing to the facsimile adapter device 1, sets the transmission mode as 0PU=T, and sets the real mode as REL=1. The capacity is specified using CLB as a parameter of the LFO (step p+).This capacity is the amount of data that the facsimile adapter device 1 receives from the personal computer 3 before transmission.In this embodiment, this specified capacity is If the transfer speed of personal computer 3 is high, for example 9600bps, it will be 30% of the transmitted data, and if the transfer speed of personal computer 3 is slow, for example 4800bps, the high speed 9600b will be sent from facsimile adapter device 1.
Since communication charges are cheaper when sending using PS, it is set at 50% of the transmitted data. Therefore, for example 100KB
When sending yte data, if the transfer speed of the personal computer 3 is fast, specify 30 KB, and if the transfer speed of the personal computer 3 is slow, specify the capacity of 50 KB.
Specify KByte. Currently, the sent data is 100K.
The transfer speed of personal computer 3 is faster with Byte.
, 30KBytes are specified. In this specification, it is displayed in multiples of 2KByte, and 30KByte
When specifying e, CLB=15. As mentioned above, the specified capacity is the same as the transmission speed because the asynchronous method is used to transfer from the personal computer 3 to the facsimile adapter device 1, and the synchronous method is used to transmit from the facsimile adapter device 1. If the image data is transferred at a higher speed than the transfer speed or is sent at a transmission speed faster than the transfer speed, the image data transferred from the personal computer 3 will not arrive in time to be sent from the facsimile adapter device 1. Specifies the amount of data. That is, since the transfer from the personal computer 3 to the facsimile adapter device 1 is asynchronous, a stop bit and a start bit are required in addition to the image data.For example, at least 10 bits are required for 8-bit image data. Become. On the other hand, since the transmission from the facsimile adapter device 1 is synchronous, a start bit, a stop bit, etc. are not necessary, and the bits required for transfer from the personal computer 3 to the facsimile adapter device 1 and the transmission from the facsimile adapter device 1 are used. Comparing the bits, the ratio is 10:8.

Furthermore, since the transfer from the personal computer 3 to the facsimile adapter device l is asynchronous, the image data is not necessarily continuous, and the above ratio becomes even thicker. Depending on the performance of the data transfer with the adapter device 1 - in the membrane, the above ratio is 10
Becomes Nia.

Therefore, in order to make the transfer speed from the personal computer 3 the same as the transmission speed from the facsimile adapter device 1 and to prevent a shortage of image data, it is necessary to %) may be stored in the RAM 13 in advance before the start of transmission from the facsimile adapter device 1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the transfer speed and transmission speed are the same, 30% of the transferred data is set as the specified capacity for the personal computer 3 to the facsimile adapter device 1.

Next, the personal computer 3 outputs a connection setting request (LFR) to set the transmission information of the facsimile adapter device 1, and when the setting of the transmission information is completed, outputs a call request (CNR) (step P2). The facsimile adapter device 1 receives these LFR and CNR, sets transmission information and prepares to make a call, but does not make a call until the specified amount of data has been transferred from the personal computer 3 (step p2). Next, the personal computer 3 outputs a data transmission request (CDT) and starts transferring the first page of image data (step P3).

When the facsimile adapter device 1 starts receiving image data from the personal computer 3 (step P3
), check whether the received data amount has reached the specified capacity (step P4), and only store the received image data in the RAM 13 until the specified capacity is reached (step P5).
).

When the received data reaches the specified capacity, the CPU II of the facsimile adapter 1 instructs the network control device 15 to make a call (step P6), and suspends transmission according to the normal G3 facsimile procedure (step P,). The facsimile adapter device 1 starts transmitting from the first data of the image data stored in the RAM 13, and continues to receive data from the personal computer 3 in real time (step p).

Thereafter, when all the data from the personal computer 3 has been transferred, the personal computer 3 outputs a message indicating the end of transmitted document (L F D), and the personal computer 3
The transfer of data from is completed (step P9). The facsimile adapter device 1 continues to transmit image data to the facsimile device 7, and when the transmission of all the image data is finished, the line is disconnected and the transmission is ended in step P. ), and outputs a line restoration confirmation (RNF) to the personal computer 3. When the personal computer 3 receives the RNF, it outputs an inquiry type (LFQ, TCD=S) and requests confirmation of the transmission information, and the facsimile adapter device 1 outputs an inquiry response (LFP, TXP=2, TXR=
2, TxE=00) to notify the transmission result. When the personal computer 3 confirms the transmission result, the LF
Output O1OPU=2 to clear the status and complete all transmission processing.

In this way, in the transmission process of this embodiment, the facsimile adapter device 1 receives data from the personal computer 3 in advance and stores it in the RAM prior to data transmission.
13, and when the received amount reaches a predetermined amount (designated capacity), transmission to the other party's facsimile device 7 is started.

Therefore, conventionally, in the accumulation mode, the total time of the accumulation time M1 and the transmission time 11 is the time WI required for the transmission process, as shown in FIG. ), although there is no accumulation time, the transmission time 12, that is, the processing time W2, took a long time to compensate for the lack of data transferred from the personal computer by adding a fill. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(c), transmission is started after approximately 30% of the storage time M1 has elapsed, and furthermore,
Since there is no need to add a fill to the transmission, the transmission time is short, l, and the overall transmission processing time, W, is short.As a result, the transmission processing function can be improved, and communication charges can be reduced. can be reduced.

Further, unlike the conventional storage mode, it is not necessary to store all image data in the RAM 13, and the capacity of the RAM 13 can be reduced. Therefore, RAM13
, and further the cost of the facsimile adapter device 1 can be reduced.

Even during reception, image data received in a synchronous manner is transferred in an asynchronous manner, resulting in image data stagnation; however, by storing this stagnant data in the RAM 13, the transfer speed is the same as the transfer speed to the personal computer 3. can be received at

(Effects) According to the present invention, the capacity of the storage means can be reduced, image data can be transmitted at the same transmission speed as that from the post device without causing a shortage, and the cost of the facsimile adapter device can be reduced. , communication charges can be reduced by improving communication speed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile adapter device of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system using the facsimile adapter device, and FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the facsimile adapter device. Figures 3 and 3 are time charts showing the transmission process, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the transmission process, and Figures 5 (a) to (c) show the time required for the transmission process in relation to the conventional method. is a diagram,
Figure 5(a) shows the processing time in the conventional accumulation mode, Figure 5(b) shows the processing time in the conventional real mode, and Figure 5(c) shows the processing time in the conventional storage mode.
) is a diagram showing the processing time in this embodiment. 1...Facsimile adapter device, 2...
... R3-232C cable, 3 ... Personal computer, 4 ... Telephone, 5 ... Line, 6 ... Switchboard, 7 ... ...Facsimile machine, 11...CPU. Engineering 3...RAM.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a facsimile adapter device that is connected to a host device that processes image data and transmits image data transferred from the host device via a line according to a facsimile communication procedure, a storage means for storing image data is provided, and the A facsimile adapter device characterized in that, upon receiving a transmission request from a host device, transmission is started when a predetermined amount of image data transferred from the host device is stored in the storage means. (2) The predetermined storage amount of image data is determined by the total capacity of all image data transmitted from the host device and the transfer speed of image data between the host device and the facsimile adapter device;
The facsimile adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made based on the transmission speed of the facsimile adapter device.