FAXCON - the voice & fax memory
Operating instruction - firmware status 2.20
©1994-99 Michael Klingel

General information

FAXCON has a low power consumption and can be equipped with 128 or 512 KByte of memory. Depending on the layout of the received faxes, about 4 or 16 fax pages can be stored.

Characteristics of FAXCON:

• Immediately ready with fax calling
• Computer remains switched off
• Independently of the operating system and to a large extent also of the type of computer
• Install into the serial connection between computer and modem
• For occasional fax reception
• Simple handling
• Low power requirement (approx. 0,3W DC input)
• Fax-switch-functions

Conditions for the operation of the device:

• Computer with serial interface (RS-232)
• External Class 2, 2.0 or 1 compatible fax modem (group 3)
• "Normal" fax software

It is not meant as a replacement for a conventional telefax device in large companies. Rather it is meant for private users or small firms, who only receive a limited number of faxes and already own a suitable modem.

Handling

Line-up

Operation

In particular the actual reception point in time with date and time is output here. Beside that the FAX identification of the transmitting station, the session parameters as well as the page status (interesting with multi-page faxes) is indicated.

If the push-button is pressed longer than 5 seconds, additionally a two-page test fax is created.

Automatically:

The other adjustments must be changed manually if necessary. In many cases however no further configuration is necessary.

Manually:

   -------------------------------------------------
                FaxCon v2.20 - 128KByte
              (c) 1994-98 Michael Klingel
   -------------------------------------------------

   (A) FAX identification: "     +49 1111 222222" 
   (B) FAX adjustments:    1,5,0,2,0,0,0,0 
   (C) modem init:         &FE0M0L0V1&D0S0=0H 
   (D) number of rings:    1 
   (E) byte delay:         99 
   (F) baud rate modem:    19200 
   (G) date and time:      Mo,00.00. 00:00 
   (W) further adjustments 
   (X) end (without save)
   (S) save configuration

   receive: class 2 - forward: class 2

The heading contains the size of the identified memory as well as the version specification of the firmware. The footing line shows the used Classes (2, 2.0 or 1).

The menu options are selected by input of the letter placed in front. If so far still no modifications were made, the defaults from the ROM are displayed.

Under fax identification the own fax number can be input. Only the digits "0"..."9" as well as the character "+" and a space should be used.

Notes

Power failure / battery

With only rarely occurring power failures the life of the battery is essentially limited by its durability. To prevent the battery from defects it should be replaced about every two years.

If the modem and/or the fax software supports both Classes, Class 2 is preferred. In addition, with the setting Class 2.0 when receiving and Class 2.0 when forwarding Class 2.0 can an be preferred.

The two latter special flags additionally are used for the Class setting, if the automatic selection is not activated. In each case the used Class is displayed in the configuration menu.

Also possible is a "mixed-mode" operation, thus receiving with a Class 2.0 modem and forwarding to a Class 2 software or the other way around. The bit order of the fax page is adapted automatically thereby so that with the usual modems and fax programs the fax should be directly readable.

If that is not the case, the bit order can be turned around with the special flag bit order when forwarding.

The functional capacity here depends very much on the used software and cannot be guaranteed. Thus the use of a "normal" fax software with Class 2/2.0 is recommended.

If the automatic selection Class 2/2.0 is activated in the special flags, also Class 1 is accepted.

Abbrev.	Information	Value	Meaning
VR	vertical resolution	0	normal
		1	fine
BR	bit rate	0	2400 bit/s
		1	4800 bit/s
		2	7200 bit/s
		3	9600 bit/s
		4	12000 bit/s
		5	14400 bit/s
WD	side width	0	1728pels on 215mm
		1	2048pels on 255mm
		2	2432pels on 303mm
LN	side length	0	A4, 297mm
		1	B4, 364mm
		2	unlimited
DF	coding	0	1-D Huffman
		1	2-D READ
EC	error correction	0	none
BF	binary file transfer	0	none
ST	scantime per line	only interesting for fax devices
(pels = picture elements = pixels)

If the fax adjustments in the configuration of FAXCON are modified manually, it is to be made certain that the used fax software also supports the settings.

command	meaning
&F	load standard configuration
E0	switch off command echo
M1	loudspeaker on during dial-up
L1	loudspeaker on low volume
V1	modem responses in plain text
&D0	ignore DTR changes
S0=0	automatic answer off
H	interrupt connection, go on hook

The firmware implements an internal clock (hour/minutes) with 7-day-calender (Mo...Su). After power-up of FaxCon this clock starts with Mo, 00:00.

For an exact time-of-day, which continues running also after switching off, an optional clock module can be connected at the I²C-bus. Then additionally a 4-year-calender with date (day, month, leap year info) is available.

Further functions

Fax switch functions

Type 1 - Modem and telephone/answering set connected to one line:

An optional additional circuit checks whether a fax tone is received at the beginning of a call. Only in this case the modem goes on line and FAXCON receives the fax. If no fax tone is identified, FAXCON behaves passively and the voicecall can be continued like usual.

Condition for this operating mode is that the used modem is able to take over the line from telephone/answering set.

If no other device pickes up the incoming call, FAXCON nevertheless goes on line after receiving the number of rings configured. If this is not required, the value 0 must be set.

This type of fax switch is activated by the special flag fax switch function, the flag fax switch function type 2 must not be set.

To take over the line FAXCON transmits the command "A" to the modem according to standard. If necessary the string can be modified under spec. answerstring, which is configured in the submenu "further adjustments".

Additionally the criteria for the fax tone identification can be set under type 1 parameter:

• Number of tones, which must be identified
• Period, in which the tones are analysed
• Tolerance of tone length and -pause

The adjustments are made in the configuration mode in the submenu "further adjustments". The waiting period is adjustable under fax detect time (1/10 seconds). To prevent the caller from disconnection, before and after the period a tone can be generated. In addition with call audio frequency the desired frequency is set (10Hz resolution). Values 30...255 for 300...2550 Hertz are permitted, with 0 meaning, that no tone is played.

A short press on the red push-button forces FAXCON to receive a fax, even if no fax tone is identified by the modem.

Condition for this operating mode is a voice-capable modem, which outputs the sequence <DLE>"c" with an identified fax tone.

This type of fax switch is activated by the special flags fax switch function and fax switch function type 2.

The string, which is transmitted to the modem for interconnecting, can be adjusted under dial string 1. A possible string could look like this:

X3S8=3DT!21,;H
X3	modem ignores dial tone
S8=3	pause 3 seconds with comma
DT	tone dial
!	flash
21	internal number of telephone/answering-set
,	pause (see S8)
;	command mode
H	go on hook

Default is "H", i.e. the modem goes on hook, if no fax was identified.

Additionally FAXCON can interconnect to a further internal line, dependent on the tones identified on the line. The string necessary for it is entered under dial string 2.

The selection, with which tone which string is transmitted to the modem, is made by the two adjustments DLE string 1 and DLE string 2. Here in each case up to three tones can be entered. Selectable are (if necessary look up in the modem manual):

DTMF tones:	"0"..."9", "A"..."F", "*", "#"
Modem tones:	call tone "e", answering tone "f"
FAXCON:	joker for all digits "?"

Example:

   Dial string 1:      ..string for calling "normal" telephone..
   DLE string 1:       ?
   Dial string 2:      ..string for calling "secret" telephone..
   DLE string 2:       *# 
   fax detect time:    45

If no tone is identified, the calling goes to the "normal" telephone after the configured detection time. Of course also further the fax is received with identified fax tone.

UU dump of the stored fax pages

Automatic forwarding of faxes

In addition the computer can be switched on with one of the switching outputs. Subsequently, FAXCON waits a maximum of 10 minutes for a reaction of the fax software and transfers the faxes. If no error occurs, the memory is cleared thereafter.

2 minutes after the final statement of the fax software the computer is switched off with the switching output. With the aid of the statement "ATS1=x" (x=5...255, in seconds) also an absolute time to power-off can be set. FAXCON acknowledges this statement with "OK", waits the desired time interval without further reactions an statements and then switches the computer off. Subsequently, FAXCON again goes on reception and waits for incoming faxes.

The slow flashing green LED of FAXCON displays that faxes were automatically forwarded, but no faxes were buffered further. This display is reset, if receive-, forward- or configuration mode is activated manually.

Port-expander 1 - Status indicator:

In receive (R) or forward mode (F)
display off	waiting for incoming call (R)
I	initializing of modem (R,F)
L	ringing (R,F)
o	off hook (R)
H	hangup - go on hook (R,F)
A...E	fax phases A...E (R,F)
After power-up
1	check push-buttons
2	memory test
2.	memory error occured
3	loading of default configuration
4	creating testfax
0	ok
Other ones
Y	configuration mode

In the receive mode alternatively the number of stored fax pages can be displayed when waiting for a calling.

If a switching function is activated, then the level at the suitable output turns to low. The possible output current (sink) is typical 10mA, at maximum 25mA.

Bit 7 enables switching of the computer for automatic forwarding of faxes with full memory. Bit 6 switches on the current supply for the fax tone identificator only if this is required. Therefor the optional circuit is connected here instead of at J13 on the FAXCON board. A 80ms pulse on Bit 4 signals an identified tone from DLE string 2 in conjunction with fax switch type 2.

Overview

         +---------------------+
         !    INITIAL MODE     !<----------------------------------+
         +---------------------+                                   !
         ! red !     green     !                                   !
         ! off !  fax number   !                                   !
         +---------------------+                                   !
            !                                                      !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            +-- red ---->!     RECEIVE MODE     !------+-- red --->!
            !   short ^  +----------------------+      !   long    !
            !         !  ! red !     green      !      !           !
            !         !  ! on  !  fax number    !      !           !
            !         !  +----------------------+      !           !
            !         !                                !           !
            !         !  +----------------------+      v           !
            +         +--!    RECEIVING FAX     !<--- red          !
            !            +----------------------+     short        !
            !            ! red !     green      !                  !
            !            ! on  ! flashing fast  !                  !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            !                                                      !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            +-- green -->!     FORWARD MODE     !----------------->!
            !   long     +----------------------+                  !
            !            ! red !     green      !                  !
            !            ! off ! flashing fast  !                  !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            !                                                      !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            +-- red ---->!   DELETE FAX PAGES   !----------------->!
            !   long     +----------------------+                  !
            !            !  -  !       -        !                  !
            !            !     !                !                  !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            !                                                      !
            !            +----------------------+                  !
            +-- green -->! LISTEN TO VOICECALLS !------------------+
                short    +----------------------+
                         ! red !     green      !
                         ! off ! flashing fast  !
                         +----------------------+

Red led is on -> Receive mode or actual receiving of fax
Green led is flashing fast -> something happens
Deleting of Faxes is only possible after forwarding at least once
CONFIGURATION: push and hold green -> push red short -> release green

LEDs after power-up	red	green
memory test in progress	on	on
memory error occured	blinking	blinking

button pushed at power-up	red	green
generate testfax (push button >5sec -> 2 faxes)	X
generate testfax and configure FAXCON automatically		X
set FAXCON default configuration	X	X