Communication system having the capability of selecting an optimum communication mode from a plurality of modes, depending on the type of equipment at a party to be communicated with

• US 6,463,132 B1
• Filed: 04/24/1995
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Hayakawa, Naoji, Yoshiura, Yoshio, Shimizu, Hideki, Matsueda, Kazutaka, Ohno, Shigeki, Yoshida, Takehiro, Kenmochi, Toshio, Yanagisawa, Kazuto, Yoshino, Motoaki, Kurahayashi, Sadasuke, Takiguchi, Fumiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US08/426,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,724 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/96, 379/97, 379/98, 379/99, 379/93.01, 379/100.01, 379/67.1, 379/88.13, 379/88.17, 379/92.01, 379/93.08, 379/93.09, 379/93.23, 379/100.05, 379/201, 379/70, 379/79, 379/82, 379/88.08, 379/93.28, 379/93.33, 379/100.15, 379/201.01, 370/14, 370/31, 370/32, 370/276-282, 370/296, 370/202, 375/222, 375/231, 358/432, 358/434, 358/435
• US Class Current: 379/93.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1446 of transmission speed

Abstract

A communication system in which when an incoming call has arrived, a communication line having the capability of a high sampling rate is automatically selected without assistance of an exchange operator by transmitting an ultra high speed modem indication signal indicating the capability of data communication at an ultra high speed modem rate among the capabilities of a called terminal, and receiving an ultra high speed modem capability signal indicating the capability of an ultra high speed modem of a calling terminal.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus with at least an answering machine mode and a facsimile mode that automatically selects from modems of different communication rates based on a capability of a partner apparatus, said communication apparatus comprising:

a connection unit adapted to connect to an answering machine, when in the answering machine mode, and a line, when in a facsimile mode;

a ringing signal detector circuit adapted to detect a ringing signal from the partner apparatus via the line;

a line closing circuit adapted to close the line in response to detection of the ringing signal;

a data communication unit adapted to communicate data by using a first ultra high speed modem or a G3 facsimile modem slower than the first ultra high speed modem;

an ultra high speed modem indication signal circuit, responsive to the closure of the line, adapted to generate a first indication signal for data communication by the first ultra high speed modem, and adapted to transmit the first indication signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

an ultra high speed modem capability signal detection circuit adapted to detect a first response signal to the transmitted first indication signal from the partner apparatus via the line before a predetermined time elapses from transmitting the first indication signal, the first response signal indicating a capability of a second ultra high speed modem of a data terminal at the partner apparatus at an opposite end of the line;

a generator circuit adapted to generate, in a case where any response signal to the first indication signal has not been detected before the predetermined time elapses, a G3 facsimile procedure signal for G3 facsimile communication by the G3 facsimile modem, and adapted to transmit the G3 facsimile procedure signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

a detector circuit adapted to detect a second response signal to the G3 facsimile procedure signal from the partner apparatus via the line; and

a control circuit adapted to cause said data communication unit to perform data communication by using the first ultra high speed modem in accordance with the first response signal or by using the G3 facsimile modem in accordance with the second response signal,

wherein said communication apparatus is adapted to perform data communication at a communication rate dependent on the capability of the partner apparatus.

2. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first indication signal is for an exchanger connected to the line to select a high quality link as a communication link between said communication apparatus and the partner apparatus at the opposite end of the line.

3. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function of the first ultra high speed modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 28.8 kbps.

4. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function of the G3 facsimile modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 9600 bps.

5. A communication apparatus with at least an answering machine mode and a facsimile mode that automatically selects from modems of different communication rates based on a capability of a partner apparatus, said communication apparatus comprising:

a connection unit adapted to connect to an answering machine, when in the answering machine mode, and a line, when in the facsimile mode;

a manual instruction circuit adapted to generate an instruction to start data communication;

a data communication unit adapted to communicate data by using a first ultra high speed modem or a G3 facsimile modem slower than the first ultra high speed modem;

an ultra high speed modem indication signal generation circuit, responsive to the instruction by said manual instruction circuit, adapted to generate a first indication signal for data communication by the first ultra high speed modem, and adapted to transmit the first indication signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

an ultra high speed modem capability signal detection circuit adapted to detect a first response signal to the transmitted first indication signal from the partner apparatus via the line before a predetermined time elapses from transmitting the first indication signal, the first response signal indicating a capability of a second ultra high speed modem of a data terminal at the partner apparatus at an opposite end of the line;

a generator circuit adapted to generate, in a case where any response signal to the first indication signal has not been detected before the predetermined time elapses, a G3 facsimile procedure signal for G3 facsimile communication by the G3 facsimile modem, and adapted to transmit the G3 facsimile procedure signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

a detector circuit adapted to detect a second response signal to the G3 facsimile procedure signal from the partner apparatus via the line; and

a control circuit adapted to cause said data communication unit to perform data communication by using the first ultra high speed modem in accordance with the first response signal or by using the G3 facsimile modem in accordance with the second response signal,

wherein said communication apparatus is adapted to perform data communication at a communication rate dependent on the capability of the partner apparatus.

6. A communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first indication signal is for an exchanger connected to the line to select a high quality link as a communication link between said communication apparatus and the partner apparatus at the opposite end of the line.

7. A communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a function of the first ultra high speed modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 28.8 kbps.

8. A communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a function of the G3 facsimile modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 9600 bps.

9. A communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a ringing signal detection circuit adapted to detect a ringing signal from the line; and

a line closing circuit adapted to close the line in response to detection of the ringing signal,

wherein said ultra high speed modem indication signal generation circuit generates the first indication signal in response to closure of the line when said communication apparatus has been set in an automatic reception mode, and generates the first indication signal in response to the instruction when said communication apparatus has been set in a manual reception mode.

10. A data communication method of a communication apparatus with at least an answering machine mode and a facsimile mode that automatically selects from modems of different communication rates based on a capability of a partner apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting to an answering machine when in the answering machine mode; and

connecting to a line when in the facsimile mode,

wherein, when in the facsimile mode, said method further comprises the steps, at one end of the line, of;

detecting a ringing signal from the partner apparatus via the line;

closing the line in response to detection of the ringing signal;

generating a first indication signal for data communication by a first ultra high speed modem in response to closure of the line, and transmitting the first indication signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

detecting a first response signal to the transmitted first indication signal from the partner apparatus via the line before a predetermined time elapses from transmitting the first indication signal, the first response signal indicating a capability of a second ultra high speed modem of a data terminal at the partner apparatus at an opposite end of the line;

generating, in a case where any response signal to the first indication signal has not been detected before the predetermined time elapses, a G3 facsimile procedure signal for G3 facsimile communication by a G3 facsimile modem, and transmitting the G3 facsimile procedure signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

detecting a second response signal to the G3 facsimile procedure signal from the partner apparatus via the line; and

performing data communication by using the first ultra high speed modem in accordance with the first response signal or G3 facsimile communication by using the G3 facsimile modem in accordance with the second response signal, and

wherein the communication apparatus performs data communication at a communication rate dependent on the capability of the partner apparatus.

11. A data communication method according to claim 10, wherein the first indication signal is for an exchanger connected to the line to select a high quality link as a communication link between the communication apparatus at the one end of the line and the partner apparatus at the opposite end of the line.

12. A data communication method according to claim 10, wherein a function of the first ultra high speed modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 28.8 kbps.

13. A data communication method according to claim 10, wherein a function of the G3 facsimile modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 9600 bps.

14. A data communication method of a communication apparatus with at least an answering machine mode and a facsimile mode that automatically selects from modems of different communication rates based on a capability of a partner apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting to an answering machine when in the answering machine mode; and

connecting to a line when in the facsimile mode,

wherein, when in the facsimile mode, said method further comprises the steps, at one end of the line, of;

generating an instruction to start data communication in response to a manual operation;

generating a first indication signal for data communication by a first ultra high speed modem in response to the manual instruction, and transmitting the first indication signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

detecting a first response signal to the transmitted first indication signal from the partner apparatus via the line before a predetermined time elapses from transmitting the first indication signal, the first response signal indicating a capability of a second ultra high speed modem of a data terminal at the partner apparatus at an opposite end of the line;

generating, in a case where any response signal to the first indication signal has not been detected before the predetermined time elapses, a G3 facsimile procedure signal for G3 facsimile communication by a G3 facsimile modem, and transmitting the G3 facsimile procedure signal to the partner apparatus via the line;

detecting a second response signal to the G3 facsimile procedure signal from the partner apparatus via the line; and

performing data communication by using the first ultra high speed modem in accordance with the first response signal or by using the G3 facsimile modem in accordance with the second response signal, and

wherein the communication apparatus performs data communication at a communication rate dependent on the capability of the partner apparatus.

15. A data communication method according to claim 14, wherein the first indication signal is for an exchanger connected to the line to select a high quality link as a communication link between the communication apparatus at the one end of the line and the partner apparatus at the opposite end of the line.

16. A data communication method according to claim 14, wherein a function of the first ultra high speed modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 28.8 kbps.

17. A data communication method according to claim 14, wherein a function of the G3 facsimile modem is to operate at a modem rate of at least 9600 bps.

18. A data communication method according to claim 14, said method, when in the facsimile mode, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a ringing signal from the line; and

closing the line in response to detection of the ringing signal,

wherein said ultra high speed modem indication signal generation step generates the first indication signal in response to closure of the line in an automatic reception mode, and generates the first indication signal in response to the instruction in a manual reception mode.

19. A communication apparatus with at least an answering machine mode and a facsimile mode, said communication apparatus adapted to communicate with a partner apparatus at an opposite end of a line using a first protocol according to a T.30 recommendation and a second protocol, said communication apparatus automatically selecting from modems of different communication rates based on a capability of the partner apparatus, said communication apparatus comprising:

a connection unit adapted to connect to an answering machine, when in the answering machine mode, and the line, when in the facsimile mode;

a first detection circuit adapted to detect a signal associated with the second protocol from the partner apparatus via the line;

a second circuit adapted to detect a signal associated with the first protocol from the partner apparatus via the line;

an execution circuit adapted to select one of the first protocol and the second protocol in accordance with detection results provided by said first and second detection circuits, and adapted to execute data communication in accordance with the selected protocol; and

a transmitter circuit adapted to transmit a signal that includes information regarding the second protocol to the partner apparatus,

wherein, if said first detection circuit does not detect any signal from the partner apparatus within a predetermined time after transmission of the signal that includes information regarding the second protocol, said execution circuit selects the first protocol, and

wherein said communication apparatus is adapted to perform data communication at a communication rate dependent on the capability of the partner apparatus.

20. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first detection circuit detects a tone signal from the partner apparatus indicating the second protocol.

21. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second detection circuit detects a CED signal from the partner apparatus.

22. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second detection circuit detects a DIS signal from the partner apparatus.

23. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first detection circuit detects a protocol signal from the partner apparatus indicating the second protocol.

24. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second detection circuit detects a CNG signal from the partner apparatus.

25. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a transmitter circuit adapted to transmit a signal that includes information regarding the second protocol to the partner apparatus, wherein, if said first detection circuit detects a signal associated with the second protocol from the partner apparatus in a predetermined time after transmission of the signal that includes information regarding the second protocol, said execution circuit selects the second protocol.

26. A communication apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said transmission circuit transmits a protocol signal indicating the second protocol to the partner apparatus.

27. A communication apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said transmission circuit transmits a protocol signal indicating the second protocol to the partner apparatus following a CNG signal.

28. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first protocol is according to the T.30 recommendation and specifies a type of modem to be used in a communication between said communication apparatus and the partner apparatus at the opposite end of the line.

29. A communication method of a communication apparatus with at least an answering machine mode and a facsimile mode, the apparatus being adapted to communicate with a partner apparatus at an opposite end of a line using a first protocol according to a T.30 recommendation and a second protocol, the communication apparatus automatically selecting from modems of different communication rates based on a capability of the partner apparatus, said method comprising:

connecting to an answering machine, when in the answering machine mode; and

connecting to the line, when in the facsimile mode,

wherein, when in the facsimile mode, said method further comprises;

a first detecting step of detecting a first signal associated with the second protocol from the partner apparatus via the line;

a second detecting step of detecting a second signal associated with the first protocol from the partner apparatus via the line;

a selecting step of selecting one of the first protocol and the second protocol in accordance with detection results of said first and second detecting steps;

an executing step of executing data communication in accordance with the selected protocol; and

a transmitting step of transmitting a signal that includes information regarding the second protocol to the partner apparatus, and

wherein, if said first detecting step does not detect any signal from the partner apparatus within a predetermined time after transmission of the signal that includes information regarding the second protocol, said selecting step selects the first protocol, and

wherein the communication apparatus performs data communication at a communication rate dependent on the capability of the partner apparatus.

30. A communication method according to claim 29, wherein the first signal is a tone signal indicating the second protocol.

31. A communication method according to claim 29, wherein the second signal is a CED signal.

32. A communication method according to claim 29, wherein the second signal is a DIS signal.

33. A communication method apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the first signal is a protocol signal indicating the second protocol.

34. A communication method according to claim 29, wherein the second signal is a CNG signal.

35. A communication method according to claim 29, said method, when in the facsimile mode, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting a signal that includes information regarding the second protocol to the partner apparatus, wherein, if the first signal is detected within a predetermined time after transmission of the signal that includes information regarding the second protocol, said selecting step selects the second protocol.

36. A communication method according to claim 35, wherein said transmission step transmits a protocol signal indicating the second protocol to the partner apparatus.

37. A communication method according to claim 35, wherein said transmission step transmits to the partner apparatus a protocol signal indicating the second protocol following a CNG signal.

38. A communication method according to claim 29, wherein the first protocol is according to the T.30 recommendation and specifies a type of modem to be used in a communication between the communication apparatus and the partner apparatus at the opposite end of the line.