FR2621145A1 - - Google Patents

Abstract

This interface device intended to communicate a fax machine 2 with a computer 3 comprises an off-hook handset detector 13, a ringing detector 12 and relay switches 11. The interface device is intended to provide three functions: in communication between the computer and the facsimile machine, placing the facsimile machine in communication with a telephone exchange, and establishing communication between the computer and the telephone exchange. Thanks to the interface device, the fax machine directly transmits information received from the computer and the latter stores information received from the fax machine. Application to office automation.

Description

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  The invention relates to a device for con-

  storing a communication interface between a computer

and a fax machine.

  The fax machine is now becoming one of the fast and popular communication tools in the field of office automation. The fax machine transmits and receives

  information printed on paper directly from

  telephone lines of a telephone exchange.

  that private / central (CO / PBX) and the information transmitted) or received are then reproduced by printing on a corresponding fax. Using a fax machine to communicate is more convenient and time-saving compared to telex. However, it has the following three disadvantages: (1) the information must first be printed or copied on paper; 2) if the telephone lines are busy, the time of transmission is delayed; and (3) the reproduced information is easily distorted.

  To eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above

  it is already known to use a personal computer

  by making it work as a current fax machine.

  Such a system is convenient because it does not require the prior printing of the desired information on-paper but transmits directly from the memory of the personal computer. Nevertheless, as shown in Figure 2, the personal computer must be connected with

  two external devices: an analyzer and a printer.

  mantle for broadcast and reception. These two external devices are very expensive. Moreover, in such an application, an existing fax machine will be unused because the personal computer functions as a fax machine,

  leading to a waste of money from the economic point of view

than.

  Another communication system consists of

  to use an RS-232 interface to connect a fax machine

  to a personal computer. Thanks to a computer program

  specific to the personal computer, the fax machine can directly transmit or receive information

  desired from the memory of the personal computer.

  However, the scope of such a system is limited because such a mode of communication is not applied

  than machines of a specific type (such as machines

  China), so that it is not

not popular.

  Therefore, the invention aims to provide a

  interface device which is interposed between a telecommunication

  and the computer so that the fax machine can directly print the information

  stored in the computer and analyzes the information

  desired settings & destination of the computer. So, the

  fax machine works as an input / output device.

  In oultc, the communication system according to the invention

  is applicable to systems or machines of all types.

  In addition, there is no need to report an external device (such as an analyzer or printer), such as

  so that the cost will be greatly reduced.

  A first object of the invention is to provide a

  interface device which comprises a simulation circuit

  central office / private exchange to replace the actual private telephone exchange / central

  to perform communication functions and, consequently,

  a fax machine can function as a device

  input / output of a computer without the need for

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outside.

  A second object of the invention is to provide an interface device for transforming a fax machine into an input / output device, so that there is no need for additional devices and the cost

is greatly diminished.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an interface device that connects with the facsimile via telephone lines so that the application area of the system complies with

the invention is not limited.

  For this purpose, the invention relates to an interface device for communicating a computer with a fax machine, characterized in that it comprises: a ring generator which is activated by a controller controlled by said computer to generate an alarm tone signal before said computer transmits / receives information to / from the facsimile machine: - a detachment detector which first detects whether said facsimile machine is in the off-hook position when the ring signal is generated; relay switches controlled by said

  controller to be moved selectively to determine

  undermine the communication of said computer with said

  fax machine or a telephone exchange or the placing in

  said fax machine with said telephone exchange.

  than; and a DC power source for supplying electrical energy to said generator

  ring and said detachment detector.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  from the following description of a

  embodiment given solely by way of example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the interface device according to the invention; - 4 -

  FIG. 3 represents an electrical circuit cor-

  corresponding to the block diagram of Figure 2; and Fig. 4 shows a conventional communication system using a computer in combination with an analyzer and a printer to provide a function

fax machine.

  Referring to the figures, and particularly to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the interface device (called FAXPRO) is connected to a fax machine, to a central office

  private telephone exchange (CO / PBX) and a telephone

  through telephone lines. A

  controller 4 is arranged between a computer and the device

  interface, and receives commands from the computer to fill the FAXPRO interface with specific functions. Thanks to the FAXPRO interface device

  the invention, the fax machine receives information directly

  computer and prints them, thus functioning as a printer, or analyzing information for the computer that processes and stores them,

then in analyzer.

  Referring now to Figure 2, it appears

  ralt that the interface device according to the invention

  designated by reference 1 comprises a set of

  11, a ring generator 12, a step detector 13 and a DC power source 14. The controller 4 controls the step detector 13 and the ring generator 12 and connects to the interface device. 1 through

  of a DAA data access device 5 and a switching

  6. The switch 6 can be selectively controlled to determine the communication of the computer 3

  with the fax machine 2 or with the central office.

  If the computer 3 has to transmit information to the facsimile machine 2, the buzzer generator 12 first triggers an alarm and the detachment detector 13 first detects whether the handset of the facsimile machine

  2 is in the on-hook or off-hook position. If the telecom

  the printer is in a stuck position, the computer starts

  then & transmit information.

  The three main modes of operation de-

  completed by the FAXPRO interface device are described below:

  1) Communication between the computer 3 and the tele-

  Copier 2: Initially, each of the terminals 4 and 13 of each relay switch R1 and 52 is respectively connected to its terminals 8 and 9. A ring signal controlled by 0 the controller 4 is generated by frequency oscillations and is applied to terminal 9 of the relay switch R2. If the facsimile is off the hook detector circuit 13 is turned on and its LOHIN output goes low, thereby connecting terminal 4 of relay switch R2 to its terminal 6, and terminal 13 to therefore, the computer 3 can transmit information to the fax machine or

  to receive from it. In other words, the telecom

  now has become an input / output device

  o Providing analysis and printing functions.

  2) Communication between the fax machine 2 and the central office: Such a transmission is the same as in the general transmission mode of a fax machine. Initially, terminals 4 and 13 of relay switch R1 are respectively connected to terminals 6 and 11, and therefore the

  fax machine and the telephone exchange are in a posi-

communication.

  3) Communication between the central office 0 and the computer 3: Such communication depends on the position or selection of the switch 6. The switch 6 has two

  states or positions that can be selected to

  re communicate the computer 3 with the fax machine 2 or the central office. Alternatively, it can be provided a

  another embodiment comprising a sound detector

  15 and a telephone detector 16 for detecting whether the telephone exchange can transmit to or receive -6-

  of the computer 2 information and whether the telephone line

is established.

  Naturally, via the interface device 1, the fax machine 2 acts as a device

  input / output as described above.

  If Facsimile 2 is to transmit information to another facsimile machine or central office,

  it is not necessary to pre-print the information

  desired on paper, but they can be transmitted

  directly from the computer.

  2 also transmits information directly to the computer 3, thus acting as an analyzer. Therefore, the communication system according to the invention saves a lot of money, namely that which would result from the purchase of external devices.

  or peripherals (a printer and an analyzer).

  It goes without saying that the embodiments described and shown are only examples and could be modified, in particular by substituting equivalents

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims (1)

CLAIM   An interface device for communicating a computer with a facsimile machine, characterized in that it comprises: - a ring generator (12) which is activated by a controller (4) controlled by said computer (3) to generate a signal alarm tone before said computer transmits / receives information to / from the facsimile machine (2); a detachment detector (13) which starts   detecting whether said facsimile machine is in a   off-hook when the ring signal is generated; relay switches (11) controlled by said controller to be selectively moved to determine the communication of said computer with said facsimile machine or a central office or the implementation of   communication of said facsimile machine with said telephone exchange   sound; and - a DC power source (14) for supplying electrical energy to said generator   ring and said detachment detector.