JP2000022922A - Facsimile equipment and transmitting method used for the equipment and record medium where control program thereof is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reliability and certainty of a communication with respect to the facsimile equipment equipped with an Internet line and a general public telephone line. SOLUTION: A data transmission control 40 confirms that destination information is inputted from an input part 1 and stored in a destination storage part 3 and image data to be sent are present in a data storage part 2. An electronic mail address is taken out of the destination storage part 3 and an electronic mail is sent by using an electronic mail transmission part 5. A resending decision part 41 judges whether or not the elcctronic mail is resent if the electronic mail does not reach and informs the data transmission control part 40 that the electronic mail can not be sent when judging so. The data transmission control part 40 performs FAX transmission by using a FAX transmission part 6 when a destination of FAX is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, a transmission method used therefor, and a recording medium on which a control program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a facsimile apparatus of this type, there is a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-252393. In this technology, an e-mail address of an e-mail and a facsimile (hereinafter, referred to as a facsimile) telephone number can be set as destinations. If an e-mail address is set, the e-mail is transmitted, and the facsimile telephone number is transmitted. If it is set, it is transmitted by the FAX device.

The above facsimile apparatus is, as shown in FIG.
Input unit 1, data storage unit 2, destination storage unit 3, e-mail transmission unit 5, FAX transmission unit 6, and data transmission unit 9
And the data transmission unit 9 includes the data transmission control unit 4
0 and a destination determination unit 91.

In the facsimile apparatus configured as described above, FIG.
As shown by 0, when the destination information is input to the input unit 1 (step S41 in FIG. 10), the input destination information is stored in the destination storage unit 3 (step S42 in FIG. 10).

When a destination is input, the data transmission control unit 4
0 retrieves destination information from the destination storage unit 3 (step S43 in FIG. 10). The destination information extracted from the destination storage unit 3 is also input to the destination determining unit 91, and the destination determining unit 91 determines whether to transmit by electronic mail via the Internet line or to transmit by facsimile using a general public line. (Step S44 in FIG. 10).

[0006] In this case, if the mail address of the e-mail is set as the destination, the destination judging section 91 judges that the e-mail is to be transmitted, and otherwise judges it as a facsimile. When the destination determination unit 91 determines that the image data is to be transmitted by e-mail, the data transmission control unit 40 transmits the image data of the data storage unit 2 from the e-mail transmission unit 5 by e-mail (step S45 in FIG. 10). Then, the image data in the data storage unit 2 is faxed from the fax transmission unit 6 (step S46 in FIG. 10).

At this time, the data stored in the data storage unit 2 may be image data stored in advance, or data stored from a scanner or the like (not shown) at the same time when a destination is input.

[0008]

In the above-described conventional facsimile apparatus, when an e-mail transmission or a facsimile transmission cannot be performed and a non-delivery occurs, it is not considered to use a line mutually. Even if you have an e-mail address and the e-mail address is set as the destination, even if you cannot receive e-mail at the receiving terminal due to problems with the line or receiving terminal, send e-mail to the receiving terminal It will be sent and will not be delivered.

[0009] Alternatively, if a fax telephone number is set as the destination, even if the fax cannot be received at the receiving terminal due to a problem with the line or the receiving terminal, the fax is transmitted to the receiving terminal and the fax is not sent. Will be reached.

[0010] In addition, since communication is performed only on the line specified at the time of transmission and communication cost is not considered, if a mail address is set as the destination despite having two lines, E-mail is sent irrespective of the communication cost. If a fax telephone number is set as the destination, the fax is sent regardless of the communication cost.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and when transmission by two of an Internet line and a general public line is not possible even if transmission by one of an electronic mail and a facsimile is unsuccessful. If the destination of the line corresponding to the other is set, the facsimile apparatus which can transmit on the line and can improve the reliability and reliability of communication, the transmission method used therefor, and the control program therefor An object of the present invention is to provide a recorded recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmission method using a lower cost line by comparing the communication cost of each of the two lines when the transmission is possible via the Internet line and the general public line. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus, a transmission method used for the facsimile apparatus, and a recording medium recording a control program therefor.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, and stores destination information indicating a destination inputted from outside. Means for retransmitting to the transmission destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when the transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line becomes unreachable. Retransmission determining means for determining whether to perform retransmission to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when the retransmission determining means determines to perform retransmission to the destination. Data transmission control means.

Another facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, and includes destination information storage means for storing destination information indicating a destination inputted from outside, When the transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line is unsuccessful, it is determined whether or not to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line. Retransmission determination means, correspondence table storage means for storing a destination in transmission using the general public line and a destination in transmission using the Internet line in correspondence with each other, and storing the destination designated at the time of image data transmission. Destination information conversion means for converting according to the contents of the correspondence table storage means, and the retransmission determination means determining that retransmission to the destination is to be performed. And a data transmission control means for controlling to perform transmission to the changed destination in at the destination information converting means.

Another facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, wherein destination information storage means for storing destination information indicating a destination input from the outside, Cost calculating means for calculating the cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line; cost comparing means for extracting a low-cost line based on the calculation result by the cost calculating means; Priority destination determining means for determining which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with the result of the extraction by the comparing means and the designation of the user from outside, and determination by the priority destination determining means Data transmission control means for controlling transmission to the transmission destination based on the result.

A facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus capable of performing communication via a general public line and an Internet line, wherein a step of storing destination information indicating an externally input destination is provided. And whether or not to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when a failure occurs in transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line. And controlling to perform transmission to the destination by using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when it is determined to perform retransmission to the destination.

Another facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, and stores destination information indicating a transmission destination inputted from outside. And performing retransmission to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when the transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line becomes unreachable. Deciding whether or not, storing a correspondence table in which a destination in the transmission using the general public line and a destination in the transmission using the Internet line are stored, and Converting the destination according to the correspondence table; and determining that retransmission to the destination is performed. And a step of controlling to perform transmission to the converted destination.

Another facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, and stores destination information indicating a transmission destination inputted from outside. Calculating the cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line; extracting a low-cost line based on the calculated cost; and And determining whether to perform transmission using the general public line or the Internet line in accordance with a user's designation from the outside, and performing transmission to the transmission destination based on the determination result. Controlling step.

The recording medium on which the facsimile transmission control program of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is recorded is a recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program for causing a computer to control a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line is recorded. The facsimile transmission control program causes the computer to store destination information indicating a transmission destination input from the outside, and the transmission has failed in transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line. Sometimes it is determined whether to perform retransmission to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line, and when it is determined to perform retransmission to the destination, the general public line and the Internet line Send to the destination using the other It is made to cormorant control.

A recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program for another facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is recorded is a recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program for causing a computer to control a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line is recorded. Medium, the facsimile transmission control program causes the computer to store destination information indicating a destination input from the outside, and fail to transmit in one of the general public line and the Internet line. When it becomes, whether to perform retransmission to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line,
A correspondence table in which the destination in the transmission using the general public line and the destination in the transmission using the Internet line are stored, and the destination specified at the time of transmitting the image data is converted according to the correspondence table. When it is determined that retransmission to the transmission destination is performed, control is performed so as to perform transmission to the converted destination.

A recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program of another facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is recorded is a recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program for causing a computer to control a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line is recorded. Medium, the facsimile transmission control program causes the computer to store destination information indicating a destination input from the outside, and calculate a cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line Let
A low-cost line is extracted based on the calculated cost, and which of the general public line and the Internet line is used for transmission according to the low-cost line and an external user's designation. The transmission is transmitted to the destination based on the result of the determination.

That is, the first facsimile apparatus of the present invention is to improve the reliability of communication when transmission is possible over two lines, ie, an Internet line and a general public line. More specifically, transmission was performed by one of e-mail and facsimile, but if the transmission was unsuccessful, if the destination of the line corresponding to the other was set, Retransmission judgment means for judging to transmit the data. The retransmission determination means determines whether to perform facsimile transmission on a general public line or e-mail transmission on the Internet line when the e-mail or FAX has not been delivered.

[0023] With this, even if transmission by one of an e-mail and a facsimile is unsuccessful when transmission is possible by two lines of the Internet line and the general public line,
If the destination of the line corresponding to the other is set, the transmission can be performed on the line, and the reliability and reliability of communication can be improved.

Further, the second facsimile apparatus of the present invention is provided with priority destination determining means for selecting a line determined to be low cost and communicating when transmission is possible over two lines, the Internet line and the general public line. ing. The priority destination determining means compares the costs of the FAX transmission and the e-mail transmission, and selects the lower cost line of the two lines.

Thus, when transmission is possible over two lines, that is, an Internet line and a general public line, the communication costs of these two lines can be compared and transmission can be made over the lower cost line.

[0026]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a facsimile according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as a facsimile)
The device is an input unit 1 for receiving destination information.
A data storage unit 2 for storing data received or received from a scanner (not shown), a destination storage unit 3 for storing destination information, a data transmission unit 4 for transmitting data, And a FAX transmission unit 6 for performing FAX transmission.

The data transmission unit 4 includes a data transmission control unit 40 for controlling data transmission, and a retransmission determination unit 41 for determining whether to retransmit on one of the lines when one of the lines becomes unreachable. Have.

The data transmission control unit 40 obtains destination information from the destination storage unit 3 and transmits image data using one of the electronic mail transmitting unit 5 and the facsimile transmitting unit 6. At this time, if the transmission is unsuccessful, the data transmission control unit 40 inquires of the retransmission determination unit 41 whether to perform transmission on the other line. As a result, if the transmission is to be performed, the data transmission control unit 40 transmits the image data using the other of the e-mail transmission unit 5 and the FAX transmission unit 6.

The retransmission determination section 41 determines the transmission result of one of the e-mail transmission section 5 and the facsimile transmission section 6 and, when it is finally determined that the transmission has not been completed, sends it to the data transmission control section 40 via the other line. Instruct to send.

When a destination (telephone number) or e-mail address of a facsimile is input in the input unit 1, the facsimile is input.
The destination (telephone number) and e-mail address are stored in the destination information storage unit 3.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Each unit of the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention realizes the processing operation shown in FIG. 2 by executing a program in a control memory (not shown). The control memory includes a ROM (read only memory) or a floppy disk. A disk or the like can be used.

When the destination information is input from the input unit 1 and stored in the destination storage unit 3 (step S1 in FIG. 2), the data transmission control unit 40 stores the image data to be transmitted to the data storage unit 2. (Step S in FIG. 2)
2).

After confirming these, the data transmission control unit 40 retrieves the e-mail address from the destination storage unit 3 (step S3 in FIG. 2), and transmits the e-mail using the e-mail transmission unit 5 (step S2 in FIG. 2). S4).

At this time, the data transmission control unit 40 notifies the retransmission determination unit 41 of the communication result. The retransmission determination unit 41 determines whether or not to retransmit the e-mail based on the setting conditions of the apparatus. That is, if the retransmission determination unit 41 determines that transmission by e-mail is impossible based on the number of failed resends by e-mail and the conditions, the data transmission control unit 4
0 is notified that the e-mail cannot be resent.

When the data transmission control unit 40 is notified that the e-mail cannot be transmitted, the data transmission control unit 40 makes a non-delivery determination (step S2 in FIG. 2).
5) If it is determined that fax transmission is to be performed, the destination information storage unit 3
The FAX destination is extracted from (step S6 in FIG. 2).

If the facsimile destination is set (step S7 in FIG. 2), the data transmission control unit 40
Is used to transmit a facsimile (step S8 in FIG. 2).
The data transmission control unit 40 notifies the non-delivery when the fax destination is not registered, when the fax transmission is unsuccessful (step S9 in FIG. 2), and when the device setting for the fax transmission is not set. (Report printing, e-mail notification, etc.) (non-delivery process) (step S1 in FIG. 2)
0).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the non-delivery determination in step S5 of FIG. The operation of the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is determined that the e-mail cannot be transmitted if the transmission fails once in the e-mail transmission (condition 1). To be performed (only when the fax destination is registered) (Condition 2), and to output a report notifying the non-delivery when the delivery is finally unsuccessful (Condition 3) And

In the facsimile apparatus configured as described above, the input unit 1 sends “aaa” as the e-mail address.
{Bbb. ccc "as the fax destination,
333-4444 "(FIG. 2, step S
1) Confirmation of accumulation (transmission data) of image data (step S2 in FIG. 2).

Here, the destination may be input at the time of transmission, or may be registered in advance with a one-touch dial or the like and designated. The e-mail address and the facsimile destination are stored in the destination information storage unit 3.

If both of the above conditions are satisfied, the data transmission control unit 40 retrieves the e-mail address from the destination information storage unit 3 (step S3 in FIG. 2), and uses the e-mail transmission unit 5 to set "aaa". An e-mail is sent to "bbb.ccc" (step S4 in FIG. 2). If the transmission of the e-mail fails due to a failure of a server (not shown), a line trouble, or the like, the result is notified to the retransmission determination unit 41.

The retransmission determination unit 41 determines that transmission by e-mail is impossible based on the above condition 1 (step S11 in FIG. 3).
Also, it is determined from the above condition 2 that transmission by facsimile is to be performed (step S12 in FIG. 3), and the data transmission control unit 40 is notified that e-mail cannot be transmitted and transmission by facsimile is performed (steps S5 and FIG. 2 in FIG. 2). 3 steps S13).

The data transmission control section 40 has a destination information storage section 3
FAX address is taken out from (step S6 in FIG. 2),
FAX transmission is performed to “03-3333-4444” using the X transmission unit 6 (step S8 in FIG. 2).

If the FAX transmission has also failed, if the FAX destination has not been input in the input unit 1, or if the FAX transmission has not been set in the above condition 2, the above condition 3 will be used. A report for notifying the non-delivery is output (step S10 in FIG. 2 and step S1 in FIG. 3).
4).

As described above, F according to one embodiment of the present invention is
Even if the AX device fails to send the e-mail,
, The possibility that image data to be transmitted does not reach the other party can be reduced, and the reliability and reliability of transmission can be improved. Here, the fax transmission is performed when the e-mail transmission is unsuccessful, but the e-mail transmission may be performed when the facsimile transmission is unsuccessful.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 except that a data transmitting section 7 is provided instead of the data transmitting section 4. Yes,
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation of the same component is the same as the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

The data transmission section 7 is a data transmission control section 40
, A retransmission determination unit 41 and a destination information conversion unit 71. The destination information conversion unit 71 has a correspondence registration table (not shown) between the facsimile destination and the e-mail destination, and stores the destination designated at the time of transmitting the image data (either the facsimile destination or the e-mail destination). Is converted to the other destination.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the FAX apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. These figures 4
The processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Each unit of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention realizes the processing operation shown in FIG. 5 by executing a program in a control memory (not shown), and a ROM, a floppy disk, or the like is used as the control memory. It is possible.

The correspondence registration table between the facsimile destination and the e-mail destination is input from the input unit 1 and stored in the destination information storage unit 3. At the time of data transmission, when an e-mail address is input from the input unit 1 (step S21 in FIG. 5), the data transmission control unit 40 confirms the transmission data (step S22 in FIG. 5), and then transmits the e-mail from the destination storage unit 3. The address is taken out (step S23 in FIG. 5), and the e-mail is transmitted using the e-mail transmission unit 5 (step S24 in FIG. 5).

When the transmission of the e-mail has not been received, the retransmission determination unit 41 notifies the data transmission control unit 40 of the facsimile transmission (step S25 in FIG. 5).
Notifies the destination information conversion unit 71 of the e-mail address.

If there is a correspondence registration table in the destination information storage unit 3 (step S26 in FIG. 5), the destination information conversion unit 71 converts the e-mail address using the correspondence registration table in the destination information storage unit 3 (step S27 in FIG. 5). ), And notifies the data transmission control unit 40 of the facsimile destination. The data transmission control unit 40 performs FAX transmission to the FAX destination notified from the destination information conversion unit 71 (Step S28 in FIG. 5).

Next, the processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail using a specific example.
In the facsimile apparatus configured as described above, when the correspondence between the e-mail address “aaa@bbb.ccc” and the facsimile destination “03-3333-3333” is input from the input unit 1 (step S21 in FIG. 5). ), These pieces of information are stored in the destination information storage unit 3 as a correspondence registration table.

After the original is stored by the scanner (step S22 in FIG. 5), the e-mail address is input from the input unit 1 and stored in the destination information storage unit 3. If both of the above conditions (input of destination information and confirmation of transmission data) are satisfied, the data transmission control unit 40 extracts the e-mail address from the destination information storage unit 3 (step S23 in FIG. 5),
“Aaa@bbb.cc” using the e-mail transmission unit 5
c "(step S2 in FIG. 5).
4).

If the transmission of the e-mail fails due to a server failure or a line trouble, the result is notified to the retransmission judgment unit 41. The retransmission determination unit 41 determines that transmission by e-mail is impossible, and notifies the data transmission control unit 40 that transmission is impossible (step S25 in FIG. 5).

When the data transmission control unit 40 is notified that transmission is not possible, the destination information conversion unit 71 sends “aaa@bbb.cc”.
c ". The destination information conversion unit 71 searches the correspondence registration table of the destination information storage unit 3 and displays “aaa @” on the correspondence registration table.
bbb. ccc "(step S2 in FIG. 5).
6) FAX destination "03-3333-3333" is extracted and notified to the data transmission control unit 40 (step S27 in FIG. 5).

The data transmission control section 40 transmits the data to "03-3333-3333" using the FAX transmission section 6 (step S28 in FIG. 5). At this time, "aaa" is displayed on the correspondence registration table.
{Bbb. ccc "or" aaa @ bbb.
If there is no facsimile destination even if there is "ccc", it will not be handled at that time. Here, the fax transmission is performed when the e-mail transmission is unsuccessful, but the e-mail transmission may be performed when the facsimile transmission is unsuccessful.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration using a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a facsimile apparatus 12, according to another embodiment of the present invention,
G13 FAXes 11 and 14 are connected to the FAX device 13 via general public lines, respectively, and the FAX devices 12 and 13 are connected via a line and a general public line.

In the network system as in the above example, the facsimile apparatuses 12 and 13 are connected by a line and a general public line, so that the facsimile apparatuses 12 and 13 are usually transmitted by e-mail and cannot be transmitted by e-mail. In this case, it is possible to transmit by FAX. in this case,
Although the cost increases, the reliability of communication can be improved. When the distance between the facsimile apparatuses 12 and 13 is long, communication costs can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 except that a data transmitting section 8 is provided instead of the data transmitting section 4. Yes,
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation of the same component is the same as the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

The data transmission unit includes a data transmission control unit 40,
A retransmission determination unit 41 and a priority destination determination unit 81 are provided. The priority destination judging section 81 determines whether to transmit by e-mail first or by facsimile, by designating the user and comparing the costs.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. These FIG.
The processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Each unit of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention realizes the processing operation shown in FIG. 8 by executing a program of a control memory (not shown), and the control memory includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like. A floppy disk or the like can be used.

The electronic mail address and the FA
The user inputs the destination of X (step S31 in FIG. 8), and when the user specifies (step S32 in FIG. 8), inputs the priority destination (step S33 in FIG. 8).

In the case of priority on the cost (step S32 in FIG. 8), the facsimile fee system and the e-mail fee system are input to the destination information storage unit 3 through the input unit 1 in advance. When both FAX and e-mail are shared, it is specified which of the user specification and the cost should be given priority.

The priority destination designating section 81 determines which of the above settings has priority (step S32 in FIG. 8).
For example, as an example of the cost calculation, the distance between the own station and the partner station is obtained for the FAX cost, and the communication time is estimated from the size of the image data to calculate the fee. Although the cost of e-mail varies depending on the provider, there are methods such as a billing method per hour, a fixed amount method, and a method of paying a fixed amount up to a certain usage time and thereafter becoming an amount per hour. It is assumed that a contract has been made with a provider that uses the billing method.

The priority destination designation section 81 reads from the destination information storage section 3 information on which of the user designation and the cost is prioritized, and the fee system for each of the facsimile and e-mail. If the priority designation is a user designation, the priority destination designation unit 81 reads from the destination information storage unit 3 whether the user designation is an electronic mail priority or a fax priority, and if a priority destination is input (step S36 in FIG. 8), The destination is notified to the data transmission control unit 40 (step S38 in FIG. 8).

If the priority destination is not inputted (step S36 in FIG. 8), the priority destination designation section 81 gives priority to the other destination (step S37 in FIG. 8) and notifies the data transmission control section 40 of the destination. (Step S38 in FIG. 8).

If the priority designation is a cost (step S32 in FIG. 8), the priority destination designation unit 81 calculates a charge from the telephone number of the own station and the transmission destination if the fax is used, and if the electronic mail is a contract with the provider. The charge is calculated accordingly (step S34 in FIG. 8).

The priority destination designating section 81 compares the calculation of the fee, gives priority to the cheaper one (step S35 in FIG. 8), and if a priority destination is input (step S36 in FIG. 8), transmits the destination to data transmission. Notify the control unit 40 (Step S in FIG. 8)
38).

If the priority destination is not inputted (step S36 in FIG. 8), the priority destination designation section 81 gives priority to the other destination (step S37 in FIG. 8) and sends the destination to the data transmission control section 40. Notify (step S3 in FIG. 8)
8).

The processing after notifying the destination to the data transmission control unit 40 is the same as the processing operation of the FAX apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (the processing of steps S3 to S10 in FIG. 2). The description of is omitted.

Next, the processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail using a specific example.
Here, it is assumed that the fee system of FAX is 10 yen every three minutes of communication, the fee system of e-mail is 20 minutes of connection time of 1 minute, and the information is input from the input unit 1 respectively.

Also, the user designation / cost priority designation is designated as cost, and input from the input unit 1. After the original is stored by the scanner, the e-mail address "a"
aa @ bbb. ccc "and fax destination" 03-333 "
"3-3333" (step S31 in FIG. 8), and the user designates an e-mail priority.

The priority destination determining section 81 reads the priority specification from the destination information storage section 3 and determines the priority specification (step S32 in FIG. 8). In this case, since the priority is given to the cost (ignoring the user-specified electronic mail priority), the costs of the fax and the electronic mail are calculated (step S34 in FIG. 8).

In the case of FAX, the communication time is determined to be 2 minutes from the size of the image data, and the cost is reduced to 10 minutes.
Judge as a circle. In the case of an e-mail, it is assumed that a connection is required for 2 minutes from the processing time, and the cost is determined to be 40 yen. From these calculation results, since the fax is cheaper, the priority destination determination unit 81 considers the fax as priority (FIG. 8).
Step S35).

In this case, since the fax destination has been input (step S36 in FIG. 8), the fax priority does not change, and this destination is notified to the data transmission control unit 40 (step S38 in FIG. 8).

The subsequent processing after notifying the destination to the data transmission control section 40 is the same as the processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (the processing of steps S3 to S10 in FIG. 2). The description of the operation is omitted.

As described above, when one of the lines used for facsimile and e-mail is unreachable, transmission is performed on the other line, so that transmission is possible on the Internet line and the general public line. The reliability and reliability of communication can be improved.

Further, by inputting in advance the charging form of both the line used for FAX and e-mail, and selecting the cheaper of the costs calculated from the charging form, the Internet line and the general public can be obtained. When transmission is possible with a line, transmission can be performed at lower cost.

[0079]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus capable of performing communication through a general public line and an Internet line, destination information indicating an externally input destination is stored. When transmission using one of the public line and the Internet line is unsuccessful, it is determined whether to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line, and retransmitted to the destination. When it is determined that the transmission is to be performed to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line, it is possible to transmit the e-mail and the e-mail when transmission is possible on the two lines of the Internet line and the general public line. Even if transmission by one of the facsimile is not delivered, if the destination of the line corresponding to the other is set, It can be sent, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the reliability and certainty of the communication.

According to another facsimile apparatus of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, destination information indicating a destination inputted from outside is stored, and The cost of transmission to the destination by each Internet line is calculated, and a low-cost line is extracted based on the calculation result, and the general public line and the Internet line are selected in accordance with the extraction result and an external user's designation. Is determined to be used for transmission, and based on the result of the determination, control is performed so that transmission to the transmission destination is performed. There is an effect that transmission can be performed on the line with the lower cost compared with the communication cost of each line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a non-delivery determination in step S5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example using a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input part 2 Data storage part 3 Destination storage part 4,7,8 Data transmission part 5 E-mail transmission part 6 FAX transmission part 40 Data transmission control part 41 Retransmission judgment part 71 Destination information conversion part 81 Priority destination judgment part

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Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, comprising: destination information storage means for storing destination information indicating a destination inputted from outside; and a general public line and the Internet line. Retransmission determining means for determining whether or not to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the internet line when the transmission is unsuccessful, and the retransmission Data transmission control means for controlling transmission to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when the determination means determines that retransmission is to be performed to the destination. Facsimile machine. 2. A cost calculating means for calculating a cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line, and a cost for extracting a low-cost line based on a calculation result by the cost calculating means. Comparing means, and priority destination determining means for determining which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with an extraction result by the cost comparing means and an external user's designation. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data transmission control means controls transmission to said transmission destination based on a result of determination by said priority destination determination means. 3. A facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and an e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line, wherein the data transmission control means includes the facsimile transmission means. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to perform transmission to the transmission destination using any of the electronic mail transmission means. 4. A facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, comprising: destination information storage means for storing destination information indicating a destination inputted from outside; and said general public line and said Internet line. Retransmission determining means for determining whether or not to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when a failure occurs in transmission using one of the general transmission line and the general A correspondence table storage means for storing a destination in transmission using a public line and a destination in transmission using the Internet line in correspondence with each other, and a destination designated at the time of image data transmission in the contents of the correspondence table storage means. Destination information converting means for performing conversion according to the destination information converting means, when the retransmission determining means determines that retransmission to the destination is to be performed, A data transmission control means for controlling transmission to a destination. 5. A cost calculating means for calculating a cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line, and a cost for extracting a low-cost line based on a calculation result by the cost calculating means. Comparing means, and priority destination determining means for determining which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with an extraction result by the cost comparing means and an external user's designation. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said data transmission control means controls transmission to said transmission destination based on a result of determination by said priority destination determination means. 6. A facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and an e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line, wherein the data transmission control means includes the facsimile transmission means. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein control is performed to perform transmission to the transmission destination by using any one of the electronic mail transmission means. 7. A facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, comprising: destination information storage means for storing destination information indicating a destination inputted from outside; and said general public line and said Internet line. Cost calculation means for calculating the cost of transmission to the transmission destination by each, cost comparison means for extracting a low-cost line based on the calculation result by the cost calculation means, extraction results by the cost comparison means and external Priority destination determining means for determining which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with the user's designation from the user, and the transmission destination based on the determination result of the priority destination determining means. Facsimile apparatus having data transmission control means for controlling transmission to the facsimile apparatus. 8. A facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and an e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line, wherein the data transmission control means determines the priority destination. 8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, wherein control is performed such that transmission is performed using one of the facsimile transmission unit and the electronic mail transmission unit based on a determination result of the unit. 9. A facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, comprising: storing destination information indicating a destination input from outside; Determining whether or not to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when transmission is unsuccessful in one of the lines; and Controlling the transmission to the transmission destination by using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when it is determined that retransmission is performed. 10. A step of calculating a cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line, extracting a low-cost line based on the calculated cost, Deciding which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with a line and a user's designation from outside, and transmitting to the transmission destination based on the result of the determination. 10. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The facsimile apparatus includes facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line. 11. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 9, wherein the transmission to the transmission destination is performed by using any one of electronic mail transmission means. 12. A facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, comprising the steps of: storing destination information indicating an externally input destination; Determining whether or not to retransmit to the destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line when the transmission is unreachable in one of the lines; and A step of storing a correspondence table in which a destination in transmission using a line and a destination in transmission using the Internet line are associated with each other, and a step of converting a destination designated at the time of image data transmission according to the correspondence table And controlling to perform transmission to the converted destination when it is determined that retransmission to the transmission destination is performed. A facsimile transmission method comprising: 13. A step of calculating a cost of transmission to the destination by each of the general public line and the Internet line, extracting a low-cost line based on the calculated cost, Deciding which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with a line and a user's designation from outside, and transmitting to the transmission destination based on the result of the determination. 13. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 12, wherein: 14. The facsimile apparatus includes facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line. 14. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 12, wherein the transmission to the transmission destination is performed using any one of electronic mail transmission means. 15. A facsimile transmission method for a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, comprising: storing destination information indicating an externally input destination; Calculating the cost of transmission to the destination by each line; extracting a low-cost line based on the calculated cost; and A step of deciding which of a general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission, and a step of controlling transmission to the transmission destination based on a result of the determination. Facsimile transmission method. 16. The facsimile apparatus includes facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line. 16. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 15, wherein the transmission to the transmission destination is performed using any one of electronic mail transmission means. 17. A recording medium storing a facsimile transmission control program for causing a computer to control a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, wherein the facsimile transmission control program is transmitted to the computer from the outside. The destination information indicating the input destination is stored, and when the transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line fails, the other of the general public line and the Internet line is used. The transmission destination to determine whether to perform retransmission, and when it is determined to perform retransmission to the transmission destination, perform transmission to the transmission destination using the other of the general public line and the Internet line. A recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program is recorded. 18. The facsimile transmission control program causes the computer to calculate a cost of transmission to the destination via each of the general public line and the Internet line, and extracts a low-cost line based on the calculated cost. To determine which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with the low-cost line and an external user's designation, and to the destination based on the determination result. 18. A recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program according to claim 17 is controlled to perform transmission. 19. The facsimile device includes facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line. 19. The facsimile transmission control program according to claim 17, wherein the computer causes the computer to perform transmission to the transmission destination using one of the facsimile transmission unit and the e-mail transmission unit. The recording medium on which it was recorded. 20. A recording medium storing a facsimile transmission control program for causing a computer to control a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, wherein the facsimile transmission control program is transmitted to the computer from the outside. The destination information indicating the input destination is stored, and when the transmission using one of the general public line and the Internet line fails, the other of the general public line and the Internet line is used. The transmission destination to determine whether or not to perform retransmission, storing a correspondence table in which a destination in the transmission using the general public line and a destination in the transmission using the Internet line are respectively stored, and The destination specified at the time of transmission is converted according to the correspondence table, and retransmission to the destination is performed. A recording medium on which a facsimile transmission control program is recorded, wherein when it is determined that the transmission is to be performed, the transmission to the converted destination is performed. 21. The facsimile transmission control program causes the computer to calculate the cost of transmission to the destination via each of the general public line and the Internet line, and extracts a low-cost line based on the calculated cost. To determine which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission in accordance with the low-cost line and an external user's designation, and to the destination based on the determination result. 21. A recording medium storing a facsimile transmission control program according to claim 20, wherein the recording medium is controlled so as to perform transmission. 22. The facsimile device includes facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line. 22. The facsimile transmission control program according to claim 20, wherein the computer causes the computer to perform transmission to the transmission destination using one of the facsimile transmission unit and the e-mail transmission unit. The recording medium on which it was recorded. 23. A recording medium storing a facsimile transmission control program for causing a computer to control a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating via a general public line and an Internet line, wherein the facsimile transmission control program is transmitted from the outside to the computer. The destination information indicating the input destination is stored, the cost of transmission to the destination by the general public line and the Internet line is calculated, and a low-cost line is extracted based on the calculated cost. It is determined which of the general public line and the Internet line is to be used for transmission according to the low-cost line and an external user's designation, and transmission to the transmission destination is performed based on the determination result. Facsimile transmission control program characterized by controlling to perform recoding media. 24. The facsimile device includes facsimile transmission means for performing facsimile transmission using the general public line, and e-mail transmission means for performing e-mail transmission using the Internet line. 24. A recording medium storing a facsimile transmission control program according to claim 23, wherein the computer causes the computer to perform transmission to the destination using one of the facsimile transmission unit and the e-mail transmission unit. .