Facsimile apparatus capable of connecting to mobile communicator and public communication line

• US 5,537,220 A
• Filed: 04/26/1994
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsukamoto, Takeshi, Ezumi, Yosuke
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, KIM Y
• Application Number:
  US08/233,059
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 358/434-436, 358/438-439, 358/442, 379/93, 379/100, 379/59
• US Class Current: 358/442
• 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 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00896 using a low-power mode, e.g. standby
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00901 Using different supplies or connection to an external supply H04N1/00893, H04N1/00896 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00904 Arrangements for supplying power to different circuits or for supplying power at different levels H04N1/00896 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32797 Systems adapted to communicate over more than one channel, e.g. via ISDN changing transmission mode according to type of channel H04N2201/33364; multichannel or multilink communication protocols H04L69/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33307 prior to start of transmission, input or output of the picture signal only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices

Abstract

In portable facsimile apparatus capable of being connected to a telephone line or mobile communication unit, the setting in a modem may be changed in accordance with the connected line. More specifically, the setting in a modem 1-8 is changed, depending on whether the modem is connected to a telephone line 1-10 or a mobile communication unit 1-11. Also, a circuit for discriminating which line is connected to a NCU 1-9 is provided so that the modem 1-8 can change an output signal level in accordance with result of the discrimination.

Claims

1. A facsimile apparatus capable of utilizing a plurality of types of communication lines by switching over an operation mode of regulation means for regulating a signal gain in a modem in accordance with a connected communication line comprising:

discrimination means for discriminating the type of the connected communication line;

control means for controlling said regulation means in accordance with the discrimination result by said discrimination means, wherein

said regulation means includes an equalizer which has a first mode for automatically regulating a signal gain, and a second mode for holding the signal gain, and

said control means includes select means for selecting the first mode or the second mode in accordance with the discrimination result.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of communication lines includes a mobile communication line and public telephone line.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said regulation means changes a transmitted signal level from the modem in accordance with the discrimination result.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said regulation means changes the minimum sensitivity of the modem to receive signals.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of communication lines include a line connected to an acoustic coupler.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said regulation means, based on an instruction from an operator.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where said select means selects the second mode, said control means regulates the equalizer, based on a modem training signal, and starts an image communication after the regulation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means regulates the equalizer, based on another modem training signal after receiving a CTC signal conforming to an CCITT recommendation.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means regulates the equalizer, based on still another modem training signal immediately before receiving a TCF signal conforming to a CCITT recommendation.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls the gain of the modem.

11. A communication control method adopted to a facsimile apparatus capable of utilizing a plurality of types of communication lines by switching over an operation mode of a regulator for regulating a signal gain in a modem in accordance with a connected communication line comprising the steps of:

discriminating the type of the connected communication line; and

controlling the regulator in accordance with the discrimination result in said discriminating step,

wherein the regulator includes an equalizer which has a first mode for automatically regulating a signal gain, and a second mode for holding the signal gain, and

said controlling step includes selecting the first mode or the second mode in accordance with the discrimination result.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said controlling step controls the regulator, based on an instruction from an operator.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein in a case where the second mode is selected, said controlling step regulates the equalizer, based on a modem training signal, and starts an image communication after the regulation.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said controlling step regulates the equalizer, based on another modem training signal after receiving a CTC signal conforming to a CCITT recommendation.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said controlling step regulates the equalizer, based on still another modem training signal immediately before receiving signal a TCF signal conforming to a CCITT recommendation.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of types of communication lines include a mobile communication line and public telephone line.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the regulator changes a transmitted signal level from the modem in accordance with the discrimination result.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the regulator changes the minimum sensitivity of the modem to receive signals.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of types of communication lines include a line connected to an acoustic coupler.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the gain of the modem is controlled in said controlling step.