DE3732533A1 - INTERFACE FOR CONNECTING A COMPUTER TO A TELEFAX DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The interface connects ringing to the facsimile machine and on detection of off-hook connects the computer to the facsimile machine. Data stored in the computer drives the facsimile machine to produce a document or the facsimile machine loads data into the computer store. Switching also allows the computer or the facsimile machine to be connected to an exchange line.

Description

The invention relates to an interface to the connector computer with a fax machine.

Fax machines can be used for transmission or reception information printed on paper by telephone cables in office communication are becoming increasingly important tung. The information transmitted or received are duplicated on a corresponding fax Device printed out again. The use of a fax Communication device is more convenient and time saving which as the use of a teletype machine. Disadvantageous  is, however, that the information is initially on a Print paper or copy onto it are that when the telephone lines are busy, the transm delivery time is delayed, and that expression is frequent is disturbed.

It is known in this context Personal Compu ter to use. This is advantageous because of that too transmitting information not to be printed need, but directly from the staff's memory Computers can be issued. Such a person However, Sonal Computer comes with two external units to connect: A scanner and a printer for transfer message and reception. These are external units very expensive. Next is an existing one Fax machine can no longer be used. This is economical mix nonsense.

Another communication system uses the RS-232 Interface for connecting a fax machine to a personal computer. With special software of the personal computer, the fax machine can use the ge wanted information from the staff's memory Send or receive computers directly. This is however only with suitably equipped, special Devices possible, this procedure has therefore not enforced.

There is therefore a need for an interface between a fax machine and a computer to create that it enables the fax machine to directly receive the information nen, which are transmitted or stored in the computer have been printed out and the computer requested to provide information. The fax machine is used this way  as an input / output unit. The communication system according to the invention is further ver in all systems reversible. It is therefore not necessary to add one external unit (such as a scanner or a Printer) add, so the cost is considerable to reduce.

The object of the invention is to create a cut provide with a CO / PBX simulation circuit Replace the existing CO / PBX interface for off conduct communication, creating a fax machine as an input / output unit for a computer without external units can serve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Interface through which a fax machine as an delivery / output unit can serve without additional Facilities are required, resulting in lower costs means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Interface that the fax machine so with the tele Fon lines connects that the system practically unbe limits can be used.

Further features and advantages of the invention result derive from the description in which an execution example game is explained using a drawing. Here shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a com communication system according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the functions in the interface according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is an electrical circuit which corresponds to the block diagram of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 shows a common communication system using a computer in connection with a scanner and a printer, which works like a fax machine.

In particular, in Fig. 1 it is clear that the interface (referred to as FAXPRO), with a fax machine (FAX), an interface between the private branch exchange and the postal network (CO / PBX) and a telephone is connected via telephone lines. A con troller 4 is arranged between the computer and the interface 1 , which he receives commands from the computer to control the FAXPRO. By means of the device proposed according to the invention as FAXPRO, the fax machine receives information directly from the computer and thus works as a printer, or else it scans a template and passes this information on to the computer and thus works as a scanner.

FIG. 2 shows that the interface according to the invention has a relay switch 11 , a bell generator 12 , a readiness detector 13 and a DC voltage supply source 14 . The con troller 4 controls the operational detector 13 and the bell generator 12 and is connected to the interface 1 via an arrangement for data access (DAA) and a switch 6 . The switch 6 determines whether the computer is connected to the fax machine 2 or to the overall computer system. If the computer 3 is to transmit information to the fax machine 2 , the bell generator 12 responds first and the readiness detector 13 begins to check whether the fax machine 2 is ready for operation or not. When the fax machine is ready, the computer begins to transmit the information.

The following are the three of the interface FAXPRO explains three specific modes of operation:

• 1. Communication between the computer 3 and the fax machine 2 :
  Pins 4 and 13 of each of the switches (relay 2 and relay 1 ) are connected to pins 8 and 9, respectively. A controlled by the controller 4 Klin signal occurs by frequency oscillation and is coupled via the connection of the pin 9 of the switch (relay 2 ). When the fax machine is ready for operation, the operational detector 13 turns on. The output terminal LOHIN * switches to a low level, whereby pin 4 of the switch (relay 2 ) is connected to pin 6 and pin 13 to pin 11 . The computer can thus transmit or receive information to the fax machine. The fax machine thus becomes an input / output unit that can be used for scanning or printing.
• 2. Communication between the fax machine and the office communication system:
  This transmission corresponds to the usual transmission of the fax machine. If pins 4 and 13 of the switch (relay 1 ) are each connected to pins 6 and 11 , the fax machine and the office communication system are communicative with each other.
• 3. The communication between the office communication system and the computer 3 :
  This communication depends on the position of switch 6 . The switch 6 has two states that can be selected to connect the computer 3 with the tele-fax machine or the office communication system. Another alternative embodiment can be designed with a ringing detector 15 and a telephone detector 16 for recognizing whether the office communication system is transmitting information to and receiving information from the computer 2 and checking whether the telephone is connected.

Via the interface 1 , the fax machine 2 serves as an input / output unit as described. If the telefax device is to transmit information to another fax machine or to the office computing system, it is not necessary to print out the desired information on paper, but rather it can be transmitted directly from the computer 3 . Accordingly, the fax machine 2 transmits information directly to the computer 3 as a scanner: the interface according to the invention thus saves the purchase of a printer and a scanner as peripheral devices.

The in the above description, in the drawing as well as features of the Erfin disclosed in the claims can be used both individually and in any combination bination for realizing the invention in their different embodiments may be essential.  

Reference symbol list

1 interface
2 fax machine
3 computers
4 controllers
5 DAA
6 switches
11 relay switches
12 bell generator
13 Readiness detector
14 DC voltage supply

Claims (1)

Interface for connecting a computer to a fax machine, characterized by

• - A bell generator ( 12 ), which is controlled by a con troller ( 4 ), which in turn is controlled by the compu ter ( 3 ) for generating a ring signal before the computer ( 3 ) information to the tele fax machine ( 2nd ) transmits or receives from it;
• - An operational readiness detector ( 13 ) which, when the ringing signal is generated, begins to check whether the fax machine ( 2 ) is ready for operation;
• - Relay switches ( 11 ), which are controlled by the controller ( 4 ) for optional communication of the computer ( 3 ) with the fax machine ( 2 ) or with the office computing system, or for communication of the fax machine ( 2 ) with the office computing system; and
• - A DC voltage supply ( 14 ) for supplying the bell generator ( 12 ) and the operational detector ( 13 ) with electrical energy.