Communications systems having a selective facsimile output

• US 3,920,895 A
• Filed: 03/29/1974
• Issued: 11/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruno J. Vieri, Carl D. Friedman
• Original Assignee: Bruno J. Vieri, Carl D. Friedman
• Inventors: Vieri, Bruno J., Friedman, Carl D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US05/456,426
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 179/3,4,2DP 178/2R,2B,2C,2D,2E,3,4.1A,4.1B,17.5,5,6,26R,26A 360/61 340/347DD
• US Class Current: 358/426.07
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32406 in connection with routing or relaying, e.g. using a fax-server or a store-and-forward facility stored and forward data switching systems H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability

Abstract

A switched communications system including store and forward facilities is provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein, in an exemplary embodiment, any of a plurality of teleprinter or teletypewriter peripherals may be given access to the communication system and input information thereto destined for one or more peripherals thereof. Input information from a transmitting peripheral is stored under the control of a central switching system which acts to inspect the destination information associated therewith. If a destination peripheral employing facsimile equipment has been designated, a facsimile controller is enabled and destination information associated with the facsimile peripheral defined is provided thereto from the central switching system. In response to the destination information, telephone communication to the defined facsimile peripheral is initiated by said facsimile controller and an indication is provided thereby to the central switching system when a communications link with the defined facsimile peripheral has been established and the defined facsimile peripheral is ready to receive facsimile information. Phasing information is then exchanged between said facsimile controller and the defined facsimile peripheral and thereafter stored information destined for the facsimile peripheral defined is transformed into a digital signal capable of being decoded into a baseband signal and applied to said facsimile controller. The digital signals applied to the facsimile controller are decoded into a baseband signal which is thentransformed into a suitable facsimile format and transmitted to the defined facsimile peripheral. Upon transmission of all of the stored information for the defined facsimile peripheral, the communications link established between the facsimile controller and the defined facsimile peripheral is terminated.

Claims

1. Facsimile controller apparatus comprising:

means for receiving order information for controlling operations within said facsimile controller apparatus;

means for receiving data information representing digitally encoded message scan line information to be forwarded to a peripheral employing facsimile equipment; and

means responsive to said order information and said data information for effecting a dialing of the location of a designated peripheral employing facsimile equipment through telephone network means, communicating therewith and forwarding message information in a facsimile format thereto, said facsimile format differing in format from said digitally encoded scan line information.

2. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said data information representing digitally encoded message scan line information takes the form of data bytes having a predetermined number of bits therein representing elements of scan line information, said means for receiving data information comprising data register means for loading each data byte forwarded.

3. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means responsive to said order information and said data information comprises:

encoder means for encoding bit information representing an element of scan line information into an analog level representative of the element of scan line information defined;

sequence gating means for selectively applying bit information present in a data byte loaded into said data register means to said encoder means in accordance with a predetermined sequence; and

means for translating analog levels provided by said encoder means into a facsimile format and transmitting said translated information.

4. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sequence gating means additionally acts to initiate a request for the application of a further data byte when all bit information in a given data byte loaded into said data register means has been applied to said encoder means.

5. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 4 wherein successive analog levels provided by said encoder means in response to the selective application of bit information thereto is effective to synthesize a baseband analog signal.

6. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said bit information applied in sequence to said encoder means comprises successive bit pairs present in each data byte loaded in said data register means, each bit pair representing a discrete element of facsimile information.

7. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said encoder means comprises digital to analog converter means, said digital to analog converter means being responsive to the One and Zero information present in each pair of bits applied thereto to produce an analog voltage level.

8. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 7 including means for buffering the bit information input to said digital to analog converter means to thereby maintain the One and Zero information present in each pair of bits applied to said digital to analog converter until a succeedinG bit pair is loaded into said means for buffering.

9. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said encoder means comprises digital to analog converter means, said digital to analog converter means being responsive to the One and Zero information present in bit information applied thereto to produce an analog voltage level.

10. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 9 including means for buffering bit information input to said digital to analog converter means to thereby maintain a discrete bit information input until new bit information is loaded into said means for buffering.

11. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for translating analog levels provided by said encoder means comprises facsimile equipment chassis means including modulator means, said facsimile equipment chassis means, when enabled, active to modulate analog levels provided thereto into a facsimile format.

12. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said modulator means comprises voltage controller oscillator means and the modulation of said analog levels results in frequency modulated facsimile information.

13. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said means for translating analog levels provided by said encoder means comprises facsimile equipment chassis means including modulator means, said facsimile equipment chassis means, when enabled, active to modulate analog levels provided thereto into a facsimile format.

14. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said modulator means comprises voltage controlled oscillator means and the modulation of said analog levels results in frequency modulated facsimile information.

15. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for translating analog levels provided by said encoder means comprises facsimile equipment chassis means including modulator means, said facsimile equipment chassis means, when enabled, active to modulate analog levels provided thereto into a facsimile format.

16. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said modulator means comprises voltage controlled oscillator means and the modulation of said analog levels results in frequency modulated facsimile information.

17. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said sequence gating means comprises:

gating means for receiving the bit content of each data byte loaded into said data register means and selectively applying bit information therefrom to said encoder means, said gating means having selection inputs and applying bit information to said encoder means, in a sequence determined by the condition of said selection inputs; and

means for applying a plurality of selection inputs to said gating means in a predetermined sequence, said means for applying initiating a request for the application of a further data byte to said data register means each time said plurality of selection inputs have been applied to said gating means in said predetermined sequence.

18. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said means for applying a plurality of selection inputs to said gating means includes counter means, said sequence gating means additionally comprising:

clock means for generating clock pulses for controlling the rate at which bit information is processed by said encoder means and said sequence gating means;

means for inhibiting said clock means each time a scan line of information has been translated into a facsimile format and transmitted and for enabling said clock means each time said facsimile apparatus is prepared to process additional byte information; and

means for applying clock pulses generated to said counter means, said counter means acting to count each clock pulse applied thereto and generate a selection input in sequence each time one clock pulse in a plurality of clock pulses is countEd thereby, said counter means generating a plurality of selection inputs in response to a counting of a plurality of clock pulses and initiating a request for the application of a further data byte to said data register means each time said plurality of selection inputs have been applied to said gating means in said predetermined sequence.

19. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 18 additionally comprising:

data byte request means for requesting the application of a further data byte to said data register means, said data byte request means exhibiting first and second states and operative to request the application of a further data byte to said data register means when in said first state;

means for placing said data byte request means in a first state each time order information is received;

means for placing said data byte request means in a second state each time a data byte is loaded in said data register means; and

means for placing said data byte request means in a first state each time said facsimile apparatus is prepared to process additional byte information and a data request has been initiated by said counter means and the condition of said counter means is indicative that a sequence of a plurality of selection inputs has been completed.

20. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 18 additionally comprising:

means for indicating that all data byte information associated with a given scan line of information has been forwarded; and

means for inhibiting the generation of clock pulses by said clock means in response to an indication that all data byte information associated with a given scan line has been forwarded and the last bit selection pulse in a sequence has been issued by said counter means.

21. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 19 additionally comprising:

means for indicating that all data byte information associated with a given scan line of information has been forwarded; and

means for inhibiting the generation of clock pulses by said clock means in response to an indication that all data byte information associated with a given scan line has been forwarded and the last bit selection pulse in a sequence has been issued by said counter means.

22. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 17 wherein successive analog levels provided by said encoder means in response to the selective application of bit information thereto is effective to synthesize a baseband analog signal.

23. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said means for translating analog levels provided by said encoder means comprises facsimile equipment chassis means including modulator means, said facsimile equipment chassis means, when enabled, active to modulate analog levels provided thereto into a facsimile format.

24. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 23 wherein successive analog levels provided by said encoder means in response to the selective application of bit information thereto is effective to synthesize a baseband analog signal.

25. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said means for applying a plurality of selection inputs to said gating means includes counter means, said sequence gating means additionally comprising:

clock means for generating clock pulses for controlling the rate at which bit information is processed by said encoder means and said sequence gating means;

means for inhibiting said clock means each time a scan line of information has been translated into a facsimile format and transmitted and for enabling said clock means each time said facsimile apparatus is prepared to process additional byte information; and

means for applying clock pulses generated to said counter means, said counter means acting to count each clock pulse applied thereto and generate a selection input in sequence each time one clock pulse in a plurality of clock pulses is counted thEreby, said counter means generating a plurality of selection inputs in response to a counting of a plurality of clock pulses and initiating a request for the application of a further data byte to said data register means each time said plurality of selection inputs have been applied to said gating means in said predetermined sequence.

26. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said encoder means comprises digital to analog converter means, said digital to analog converter means being responsive to the One and Zero information present in bit information applied thereto to produce an analog voltage level.

27. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 26 including means for buffering bit information input to said digital to analog converter means to thereby maintain a discrete bit information input until new bit information is loaded into said means for buffering.

28. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 27 additionally comprising:

data byte request means for requesting the application of a further data byte to said data register means, said data byte request means exhibiting first and second states and operative to request the application of a further data byte to said data register means when in said first state;

means for placing said data byte request means in a first state each time order information is received;

means for placing said data byte request means in a second state each time a data byte is loaded in said data register means; and

means for placing said data byte request means in a first state each time said facsimile apparatus is prepared to process additional byte information and a data request has been initiated by said counter means and the condition of said counter means is indicative that a sequence of a plurality of selection inputs has been completed.

29. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 27 additionally comprising:

means for indicating that all data byte information associated with a given scan line of information has been forwarded; and

means for inhibiting the generation of clock pulses by said clock means in response to an indication that all data byte information associated with a given scan line has been forwarded and the last bit selection pulse in a sequence has been issued by said counter means.

30. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said order information and said data information for communicating with a designated peripheral employing facsimile equipment and forwarding message information in a facsimile format thereto comprises:

facsimile equipment chassis means for translating, when enabled, message scan line information into a facsimile format, said facsimile equipment chassis means including a control input for enabling said facsimile equipment chassis means and said facsimile equipment chassis means applying information in a facsimile format to an output thereof when so enabled;

communications means for acquiring access to a communications network and for applying information from said facsimile equipment chassis means thereto, said communications means having a connect control input for causing said communications means to selectively acquire access to said communications network when said connect control input is enabled; and

means for coupling said output of said facsimile equipment chassis means to said communications means.

31. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said means for receiving order information comprises:

order register means for accepting order information and for decoding specific orders received, said order register means providing predetermined output levels indicating the receipt of said specific orders, said specific orders including '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders for said connect control input of said communications means and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Enable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders for said control input of said facsimile equipment chassis means;

means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders to said connect control input of said communications means; and

means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Enable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders to said control input of said facsimile equipment chassis means.

32. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said facsimile equipment chassis means applies an advisory signal to said output thereof when an output level indicating the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is applied to said control input thereof and said facsimile controller apparatus is otherwise enabled.

33. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said means for coupling includes a couple control input and is selectively enabled and disabled in response to control levels applied to said couple control input, said specific orders decoded by said order register means including '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Uncouple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders for said couple control input of said means for coupling;

said facsimile controller means additionally comprising means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Uncouple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders to said couple control input of said means for coupling.

34. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said communications network comprises a telephone communications network and said means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders comprises latching means responsive to an output level representing the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for providing a first control level until a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is received and responsive to an output level representing the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for providing a second control level until a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is received whereupon the dialing of a telephone number of a defined destination peripheral may be achieved through an appropriately timed and ordered sequence of '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders.

35. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said communications means additionally acts to receive information from said communications network, said facsimile controller apparatus additionally comprising detector means for detecting signal indicia from said communications network indicating that a designated peripheral has been contacted and is in a condition to receive a facsimile communication, said detector means being connected to said communications means.

36. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 35 additionally comprising ready condition indicating means which acts when enabled to generate an interrupt advising that said signal indicia has been detected, said ready condition indicating means including a ready interval control input for selectively enabling said ready condition indicating means, said specific orders decoded by said order register means including a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Ready Interval Enable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for said ready interval control input;

and means for applying a control level representing an output level indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Ready Interval Enable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order to said ready interval control input.

37. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said interrupt is acknowledged by an acknowledgement signal, additionally comprising means for clearing a generated interrupt at a termination of said acknowledgement signal.

38. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said facsimile equipment chassis means applies an advisory signal to said output thereof when an output level indicating the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is applied to said control input thereof and said facsimile controller apparatus is otherwise enabled.

39. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said means for coupling includes a couple control input and is selectively enabled and disabled in response to control levels applied to said couple control input, said specific orders decoded by said order register means including '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Uncouple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders for said couple control input of said means for coupling;

said facsimile controller means additionally comprising means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Uncouple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders to said couple control input of said means for coupling.

40. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said communications network comprises a telephone communications network and said means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders comprises latching means responsive to an output level representing the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for providing a first control level until a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is received and responsive to an output level representing the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for providing a second control level until a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is received whereupon the dialing of a telephone number of a defined destination peripheral may be achieved through an appropriately timed and ordered sequence of '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders.

41. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said facsimile equipment chassis means applies an advisory signal to said output thereof when an output level indicating the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is applied to said control input thereof and said facsimile controller apparatus is otherwise enabled.

42. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said communications network comprises a telephone communications network and said means for applying control levels representing output levels indicating the receipt of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders comprises latching means responsive to an output level representing the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for providing a first control level until a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is received and responsive to an output level representing the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order for providing a second control level until a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Couple'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is received whereupon the dialing of a telephone number of a defined destination peripheral may be achieved through an appropriately timed and ordered sequence of '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Connect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disconnect'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' orders.

43. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said facsimile equipment chassis means applies an advisory signal to said output thereof when an output level indicating the receipt of a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Disable'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' order is applied to said control input thereof and said facsimile controller apparatus is otherwise enabled.

44. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said data information representing digitally encoded message scan line information takes the form of data bytes having a predetermined number of bits therein representing elements of scan line information, said means for receiving data information comprising data register means for loading each data byte forwarded.

45. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said means responsive to said order information and said data information comprises:

encoder means for encoding bit information representing an element of scan line information into an analog level representative of the element of scan line information defined;

sequence gating means for selectively applying bit information present in a data byte loaded into said dAta register means to said encoder means in accordance with a predetermined sequence; and

means for translating analog levels provided by said encoder means into a facsimile format and transmitting said translated information.

46. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said sequence gating means additionally acts to initiate a request for the application of a further data byte when all bit information in a given data byte loaded into said data register means has been applied to said encoder means.

47. The facsimile controller apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said means for tranlating analog levels provided by said encoder means comprises modulator means present in said facsimile equipment chassis means for modulating analog levels provided thereto into a facsimile format.