Data communications apparatus having a computer modem function

• US 5,608,546 A
• Filed: 03/06/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Mitsuhiro, Shibata, Kohichi
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, KIM Y
• Application Number:
  US08/398,783
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 358/434-437, 358/442, 358/468, 358/400
• US Class Current: 358/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00238 using an image reproducing device as a local output from a computer output via network, e.g. network printing H04N1/00233
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32704 Establishing a communication with one of a facsimile and another telecommunication apparatus sharing a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32713 Data transmission device, e.g. switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32726 signals other than facsimile protocol signals, e.g. DTMF signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32732 within a predetermined time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32745 Generating messages, indications or warnings locally
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability

Abstract

In a facsimile apparatus provided with a facsimile modem function through which a personal computer performs communication, the changeover between a facsimile mode and a facsimile modem mode is made based on the setting and activation conditions of the apparatus. When a call comes in while the facsimile apparatus is in the facsimile modem mode, if no power is supplied to the personal computer, the operation mode is changed to the facsimile mode to receive the call. When the personal computer does not respond to a call notification although power is supplied thereto, a warning sound is provided. A call coming in when the facsimile apparatus is used as an image data inputting and outputting apparatus of the personal computer is ignored. The facsimile apparatus does not respond to an AT command received within a predetermined period of time after the setting of an original to be transmitted, so that the facsimile mode is maintained.

Claims

1. A data communications apparatus connected to an external information processor and to a telephone line to perform communication through the telephone line, said data communications apparatus having a first communications mode not including data transmission and reception with the external information processor and a second information communications mode including data transmission and reception with the external information processor,

wherein controlling means is provided for discriminating a power supply condition of the external information processor, said controlling means changing a communications mode of the data communications apparatus from the second communications mode to the first communications mode when no power is supplied to the external information processor, and wherein said controlling means, upon discriminating that power is supplied to the external information processor, forwards a signal to the external information processor to inform the external information processor that there is an incoming call, and said apparatus further comprising warning means for providing a warning if a response to the signal is not received back from said external information processor.

2. A data communications apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said warning means includes a buzzer and a display unit.

3. A facsimile apparatus connected to an external information processor and having a first mode in which the facsimile apparatus operates as a facsimile machine and a second mode in which the facsimile apparatus operates as a facsimile modem of the external information processor, an operation mode of said facsimile apparatus being shifted from the first mode to the second mode by means for shifting operation modes when the facsimile apparatus receives an AT command from the external information processor,

wherein said apparatus includes an original stand for placing an original to be transmitted thereon, and wherein within a preset period of time after a placement of an original on the original stand while the facsimile apparatus is in the first mode, even if the facsimile machine receives an AT command from the external information processor, the operation mode is not shifted to the second mode and the first mode is maintained.

4. A data communications apparatus according to claim 3 wherein, upon an AT command being received following placement of the original and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, said means for shifting operation modes shifts from the first mode to the second mode.

5. A data communications apparatus connected to an external information processor and to a telephone line to perform communication through the telephone line, said data communications apparatus having a first communications mode not including data transmission and reception with the external information processor and a second communications mode including data transmission and reception with the external information processor, said data communications apparatus comprising:

power supply discriminating means for discriminating a power supply condition of the external information processor;

call notifying means for notifying the external information processor that there is an incoming call when a call comes in through the telephone line while the data communications apparatus is in the second communications mode;

warning means for providing a warning when the external information processor does not respond to a call notification from the call notifying means; and

controlling means for activating the call notifying means and the warning means when the power supply discriminating means recognizes that the external information processor is provided with power.

6. A data communications apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data communications apparatus functions as a facsimile machine in the first communications mode and functions as a facsimile modem in the second communications mode.

7. A data communications apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said data communications apparatus is connected to a personal computer as the external information processor.

8. A data communications apparatus connected to an external information processor and to a telephone line to perform communication through the telephone line, said data communications apparatus having a first communications mode not including data transmission and reception with the external information processor and a second communications mode including data transmission and reception with the external information processor,

wherein controlling means is provided for discriminating a power supply condition of the external information processor, said controlling means changing a communications mode of the data communications apparatus from the second communication mode to the first communications mode when no power is supplied to the external information processor, and

wherein said controlling means changes the communications mode from the second communications mode to the first communications mode when a call comes in via the telephone line while no power is supplied to the external information processor and changes the communications mode to the second communications mode after the call is received.

9. A data communications apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data communications apparatus functions as a facsimile machine in the first communications mode and functions as a facsimile modem in the second communications mode.

10. A data communications apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said data communications apparatus is connected to a personal computer as the external information processor.

11. A data communications apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said controlling means discriminates a power supply condition at a time said apparatus is under said second mode.

12. A data communications apparatus according to in claim 11 wherein said controlling means changes the communications mode from the second communications mode to the first communications mode when a call comes in via the telephone line while no power is supplied to the external information processor.

13. A data communications apparatus according to in claim 12, wherein said controlling means changes the communications mode back to the second communications mode after the call is received.