Modem unit
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorKazuhito Saitoh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modem unit includes a data communication modem having data communication functions, a facsimile communication modem having facsimile communication functions, and a controller which is coupled to the data communication modem and the facsimile communication modem. The controller controls the data communication modem and the facsimile communication modem so that non-image facsimile data is communicated via the data communication modem and image facsimile data is transferred via the facsimile communication modem. Communication time is thus shortened through the provision of both the data communication modem and the facsimile communication modem in communicating facsimile data.
Claims15
A modem unit comprising:
- a full-duplex data communication modem having data communication functions;
- a half-duplex facsimile communication modem having facsimile communication functions;
- and
- control means, coupled to said data communication modem and said facsimile communication modem, for controlling said data communication modem and said facsimile communication modem such that facsimile communication is carried out by communicating by non-image facsimile data via said data communication modem and communicating image facsimile data via said facsimile communication modem or said data communication modem,
- wherein said control means negotiates a file transfer procedure wherein said data communication modem communicates text data and said facsimile communication modem communicates image data, and
- wherein said data communication modem communicates a font code corresponding to said text data prior to communicating said text data.
A method of communicating data via a modem unit having a full-duplex data communication modem and a half-duplex facsimile communication modem, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting, via said data communication modem, a call signal to a receiving modem unit to notify said receiving modem unit that data is to be communicated;
- transmitting, via said data communication modem, a signal to said receiving modem unit indicating the full-duplex and half-duplex capabilities of said modem unit;
- receiving, via said data communication modem, a call identification signal from said receiving modem unit indicating that said call signal was received thereby;
- receiving, via said data communication modem, a digital identification signal from said receiving modem unit indicating that said receiving modem unit communicates data in accordance with a facsimile communication protocol of said facsimile communication modem;
- receiving, via said data communication modem, a non-standard facilities signal from said receiving modem unit indicating that said receiving modem unit comprises a data communication modem that communicates data in accordance with a data communication protocol;
- transmitting, via said data communication modem, a non-standard set-up signal to said receiving modem unit indicating which of said full-duplex and half-duplex capabilities has been selected by said modem unit;
- transmitting, via said data communication modem, a training check signal to said receiving modem unit which switches communication operation from said full-duplex data communication modem to said half-duplex facsimile communication modem when said half-duplex capability is selected and indicates a speed of said facsimile communication modem;
- receiving, via said data communication modem, a confirmation signal from said receiving modem unit indicating acknowledgement and acceptance of said training check signal;
- transmitting image facsimile data via said facsimile communication modem or said data communication modem to said receiving modem unit;
- transmitting, via said data communication modem, an end of procedure signal indicating that image facsimile data transmission is completed;
- receiving, via said data communication modem, a method confirmation signal from said receiving modem unit indicating acknowledgement and acceptance of said end of procedure signal;
- and
- transmitting, via said data communication modem, a disconnect signal to said receiving modem unit to terminate connection thereto,
- wherein said data communication modem communicates text data and said facsimile communication modem communicates image data, and
- wherein said data communication modem communicates a font code corresponding to said text data prior to communicating said text data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.