JPH0284863A - Facsimile store and forward exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prolong a time up to the disconnection of a line and to prevent the line from being disconnected by outputting a transmission extending request from a system control part to a communication control part in correspondence to the preparation condition of a transmitting original and delaying a communication means. CONSTITUTION:A system control part 4 executes the collection of data in correspondence to a report output request while the data of control report in an internal RAM are retrieved. Then, the report is prepared according to a prescribed format. However, for this work, there is a case that a preparing time is changed by data quantity, etc., and the preparation is not completed in the time of an order by a CCITT recommendation T,30. In such a case, the control part 4 outputs the transmission extending request to a communication control part 5 and gains the preparing time of the transmitting original. Even when a facsimile store and forward exchanging device 1 executes communication simultaneously with the plural lines and the telegram reading from a memory 6 needs a time, the control part 4 outputs the transmission extending request to the control part 5 and gains the reading time of the telegram.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a facsimile storage and forwarding device.

(Prior art) Recently, as facsimile machines have become widespread, messages from multiple facsimile terminals can be received, stored in memory, and then sent to specified destinations, communication management reports, charge reports, and stored files. Facsimile storage and forwarding devices have appeared that transmit predetermined management information such as lists, storage result reports, transmission result reports, etc. in response to requests or spontaneously as reports, and are providing various communication services.

For example, as shown in Figure 12, when a report output request is received using a special number from an extension facsimile machine connected to a facsimile storage and forwarding device, the facsimile storage and forwarding device transmits the request (special number) to the facsimile storage and forwarding device's exchange. It is recognized and notified to the system control unit (SCU) of the facsimile storage and forwarding device. When the system control unit receives this notification, it outputs a line connection request to the exchange and also sends a line connection request to the communication control unit (CCU) of the facsimile storage and forwarding device.
), and thereafter, the facsimile communication procedure is executed in accordance with the procedure of Recommendation T, 30 of the CCITT (Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone), and the report and, if there is a message for the destination, the message is also sent. do. At the time of transmission, the system control section searches for report data, collects the data, creates a report, passes it as character information to the communication control section, and reads the message from the message storage memory.

If the preparation process for the transmission document, such as report creation and message reading process, is not completed within a predetermined time indicated by T1 in FIG. 5, the line must be temporarily disconnected.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a conventional facsimile storage and forwarding device, T of the CCITT recommendation.

30, and if the preparation process for the second transmission document is not completed within the predetermined time T1, the line must be temporarily disconnected. Therefore, it is necessary to request a report again, which poses a problem in that the facsimile storage and forwarding device is inconvenient and inconvenient.

Further, the line is suddenly disconnected after the time allowed by the communication protocol has elapsed, without any notification being made to the extension facsimile device that made the report transmission request. As a result, a communication error suddenly occurs for the operator of the extension facsimile device, resulting in a problem that the facsimile storage and forwarding device is inconvenient and inconvenient.

(Object of the Invention) Therefore, each invention of the present application has a system control unit outputting a transmission postponement request to a communication control unit according to the preparation status of a transmission document, and the communication control unit carrying out communication procedures within the scope of CCITT recommendations. When the preparation of the transmission document is completed and the system control unit issues a notification of completion of preparation, the communication control unit executes the normal communication procedure, thereby increasing the time until the line is disconnected. Increase the amount of time it takes to prepare the manuscript to be sent.
to prevent line disconnections and to prevent reports from being generated within the time allowed by the communication protocol.
A message to that effect is sent to the requesting terminal, and when the report creation is completed, the facsimile storage and forwarding device makes a call and sends the report, thereby notifying the requesting terminal of the reason for the communication error. It is an object of the present invention to improve the usability and convenience of a facsimile storage and forwarding device by transmitting a report without making a report transmission request again.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the invention as claimed in claim 1 provides an exchange that is connected to a plurality of lines and connects and exchanges the lines with each other, a communication control unit that executes a facsimile communication procedure, and a communication control unit that executes a facsimile communication procedure. In a facsimile storage/exchange device that includes a storage unit that stores reports and a system control unit that controls each unit to transmit reports and messages stored in the storage unit and stores received messages in the storage unit, When transmitting a message or a message, the system control unit notifies the communication control unit of a transmission postponement request according to the preparation status of the transmission document, and the communication control unit delays the communication procedure within the scope of the CC[TT recommendation. , when the preparation of the transmission document is completed and the system control unit issues a notification of completion of preparation, the communication control unit shifts to a normal communication procedure. An exchange that connects and exchanges lines, a communication control section that executes facsimile communication procedures, a storage section that stores messages, and controls each section to send reports and messages stored in the storage section. , a system control unit that stores received messages in a storage unit, and when a report transmission request made in a manual reception procedure is received from a facsimile terminal connected to a line, the system control unit When the department starts creating a report and the creation of the report is not completed within the time allowed by the communication protocol, it sends a message to the facsimile terminal stating that processing cannot be completed in time, disconnects the line, and creates the report. When the facsimile terminal is completed, the facsimile terminal is called and a report is sent.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on examples.

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1. FIG.

In FIG. 1, l is a facsimile storage and forwarding device, and the facsimile storage and forwarding device l has a main body 2 and a private branch exchange (
Private Branch Exchange
:PBX)3.

The main body 2 includes a system control unit (SCU) 4, a communication control unit (
CCU) 5 and memory (storage unit) 6.
The private branch exchange 3 has extension L1. ~ Lln, the extension facsimile devices F1 to Fn are connected, and the external line L
O, to LOm are connected.

The private branch exchange 3 performs call origination operations in accordance with instructions from the system control unit 4, and also communicates with internal vALs 11 to LI·n and internal lines L1. ~Lln and outside line LO.

~Connect and exchange with LOm.

The communication control unit 5 is equipped with a modulator/demodulator, a compressor/regenerator, a double buffer memory, etc., and also has a function of executing facsimile communication procedures based on the recommendations of the CCITT (Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone) and the communication procedure of the present invention. It has extension functions, etc. The communication control unit 5 follows instructions from the system control unit 4 to control the other party's facsimile device (extension facsimile F1 to Fn or a facsimile device connected to an outside line).
In addition to exchanging facsimile control signals with the other party's facsimile machine, the image information (telegram) sent from the other party's facsimile machine is demodulated and coded to suppress redundancy, and is stored in one side of the double buffer memory. The image information transferred from the memory 6 is stored in one side of the double buffer memory, and then the image information is modulated and sent to the other party's facsimile machine.

The system control unit 4 is a ROM (Read Only M
memory) and RAM (Random Accesses)
s Memory), etc., and controls each part of the facsimile storage and forwarding device 1 according to a program stored in the ROM to execute the sequence as the facsimile storage and forwarding device 1, and also stores an extension L1. ~Lln
It stores report data regarding each extension facsimile machine F, -Fn connected to. In addition, the ROM of the system control unit 4 stores various report creation programs and formats of various reports.
When receiving a report output request (transmission request) from an extension facsimile machine F, -Fn, it searches for report data in the RAM, collects it, and creates a report.

Next, the effect will be explained.

The case where a request for a report is received from the extension facsimile machines F1 to Fn will be explained based on the timing chart of the facsimile control signal shown in FIG. 2 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 3.

When there is a request to output a report using a special number from one of the extension facsimile machines F and -Fn, the private branch exchange 3 detects the special number and notifies the system control section 4, and the system control section 4 accepts the receipt. It recognizes from the special number that it is a request to output a predetermined report.

When the system control unit 4 receives this report output request, it outputs a line connection request to the private branch exchange 3 and outputs a transmission start request or transmission postponement request to the communication control unit 5. At this time, the system control unit 4 selects and outputs a transmission start request and a transmission postponement request depending on the preparation status of the transmission document.

That is, the system control unit 4 collects data while searching for management report data in the internal RAM in response to a report output request, and creates a report according to a predetermined format. However, the creation time for this task varies depending on the amount of data, etc., and the creation may not be completed within the time required for normal procedures according to CCITT Recommendations T and 30. In such a case, the system control section 4 outputs a request for postponement of transmission to the communication control section 5 to obtain time for creating the transmission manuscript. Also,
Even if the facsimile storage and forwarding device 1 is communicating with multiple lines at the same time and it takes time to read out the message from the memory 6, the system control unit 4 outputs a transmission postponement request to the communication control unit 5 to read out the message. Save time.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication control unit 5 checks whether the request from the system control unit 4 is a transmission start request or a transmission postponement request (steps P, P2), and when the request is a transmission start request, the standard The (normal) facsimile transmission procedure according to CCITT Recommendation T.30 is started (step PI).

While executing this standard transmission procedure, check whether there is a transmission postponement request (step P4), and if there is no transmission postponement request and the transmission ends (step P,), this flow ends.

On the other hand, when a transmission postponement request is received in step P2 or step P4, the communication control unit 5 executes a postponed transmission procedure (step P6), and then the system control unit 4
In step P6, check whether the transmission preparation completion notification has been received from within the communication time allowed by the CCITT recommendation.
), when the transmission preparation completion notification is received, the process shifts to the standard transmission procedure (step P3).

In this delayed transmission procedure, as shown in the details of the control signal procedure in FIG. signal), D[S signal (digital identification signal)
Even if it receives a DC3C10 digital command signal) or a TCP signal (training check), it does not output it immediately, but waits for about 35 seconds after the line is connected before outputting it.

This is from line connection to 3 in CCITT Recommendation T, 30.
The receiving side only needs to receive the DO3 signal within 5 seconds, and the communication control unit 5 does not receive the DO3 signal until the very end of this time.
3 signal transmission is delayed.

Furthermore, CCITT Recommendation T.30 requires the transmitting side to transmit the DO3 signal three times at 3-second intervals until it confirms the CFR signal (reception readiness confirmation signal) from the receiving side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, if there is a request to postpone transmission immediately after a management report output request and a transmission preparation completion notification is received between the second and third DC3C 10, the communication control unit 5 The processing time will be extended by up to 30 seconds compared to the fastest processing time.

As a result, the transmission time is extended by a maximum of about 30 seconds from the conventional time T3 shown in FIG. 12 to the time shown T2 in FIG. It is possible to read messages from. Therefore, even if it takes some time to create a management report, or because the facsimile storage and forwarding device l is communicating with multiple lines, even if it takes time to read the message from the memory 6, the line may be disconnected due to a timeout in the middle. This can be prevented, and the usability and convenience of the facsimile storage and forwarding device 1 can be improved.

5 to 11 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile storage and forwarding device of the invention as claimed in claim 2.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 11 indicates a facsimile storage and forwarding device, and the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 includes an exchange connection section 12, an outside line 1/F section 13, an extension 1/F section 14, and a line control section L C+ "L Cn , modems Ml to Mn, communication control sections NC+ to NCn, an exchange connection control section 15, a system control section 16, a memory 17, and an operation section 18.

The exchange control unit 12 has an extension line LI+”LIn and an outside line LO.
, ~LOm are connected, and extension Ll.

~Lrn and outside line LO, ~LOm are respectively extension 1/
It is connected to the F section 14 and the external 1/F section 13. External 1/F section 13 and extension 1/F section 14 are external line LO, ~
It detects call signals from LOm and extensions LI+ to LIn and notifies the system control unit 16 of them. A facsimile machine (facsimile terminal) is connected to the extension lines L1 to Ln and the external lines LO+-LOm.

The exchange connection unit 12 follows instructions from the exchange connection control unit 15 to connect the extensions Ll, to Lln to each other and to the extension Ll.

~Lln and the outside line L OI-L Om are connected, and the exchange connection control section 15 controls the exchange connection section 12 according to instructions from the system control section 16 .

Line control units LC and xLCn detect connection and disconnection of lines, and modems M1 to Mn modulate and demodulate signals. The communication control units NCI to NCn execute control procedures by exchanging facsimile control signals with the other party's facsimile machine, and are equipped with a compressor/regenerator, a buffer memory, etc., and process image information ( While performing redundancy suppression encoding of the message (telegram), it is stored in the buffer memory,
- input operation of transferring to memory 17 when full;
After storing the image information transferred from the memory 17 in a buffer memory, it performs an output operation of performing redundancy suppression encoding suitable for the destination facsimile machine and transmitting it.

The system control unit 16 includes a ROM and a RAM, and controls each part of the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 according to a program stored in the ROM.
At the same time, the report transmission process of the present invention is executed.

The memory 17 stores image information sent from the facsimile machine, and the stored image information is used as management information such as channel number (request line number), destination name, destination telephone number, transmission time, number of original sheets, and file number. is assigned and managed for each file.

Next, the effect will be explained.

The present invention provides a system for sending a message to that effect when a report transmission request is received from a facsimile machine (extension facsimile machine) connected to extension LI+-Lln, and report creation is not completed within the time allowed by the communication protocol. is sent to the report request terminal, and then, when the report creation is completed, the facsimile storage and forwarding device 1
The feature is that the report request terminal is called from 1 and the report is sent. This report sending process will be explained below.

The report transmission process of the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 is performed in response to a report transmission request from an extension facsimile device (terminal). A report transmission request using this extension facsimile device is made according to the operating procedure shown in FIG.

That is, when the operator of the extension facsimile machine makes a report transmission request, he first turns off the handset of the extension facsimile machine (step Fl) and inputs a report transmission request command from the keyboard (step Fz).

Next, input a command from the keyboard to specify the type of report (step F3), and press the start button (step F,).

When the start button is pressed on the extension facsimile machine,
The CHD signal is sent, and the normal communication protocol is then executed. In this way, a report transmission request can be made using a manual reception procedure similar to normal polling reception.

On the other hand, when the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 receives the CED signal from the extension facsimile device, as shown in FIGS. After confirming that it is and the type of the report, the system control unit 16 sets a timer to set a waiting time for report creation (step SZ). The set time of this timer is set in advance by operating the operation unit 18 within the allowable range of the communication protocol.The system control unit 16 starts the report creation (step S3), and the report creation is completed within the set time of the timer. To end, step S4
), reset the timer (step Ss-+),
The communication control units NC, -NCn are notified of the completion of report creation and instructed to send the report to the DC3C10 (step S&). The communication control unit N CI''N Cn sends out the DO3 signal, performs other communication protocol pre-procedures (step S'l), and then sends a report (step Sa).

On the other hand, if the creation of the report is not completed within the cent time of the timer, as shown in FIG. Instruct NCn to send DC3C10 (step 56) - Communication control unit NC1
-N Cn transmits data to DC3C10 and performs other communication protocol pre-procedures (step S,);
The system control unit 16 transmits the message read from the memory 17 (step S). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, after the extension facsimile device sends out the CED signal, it sends out the DIS signal at predetermined intervals until the DO3 signal is returned. However, the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 does not transmit the DCS signal until the report creation is completed or the timer set time has elapsed. When the CFR signal is returned from the extension facsimile machine, a report or message is transmitted as image information. As shown in FIG. 10, this message indicates that the creation of the report has not been completed within a predetermined time and cannot be sent in real time, and that the report will be sent from the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 later.

If the report creation is not completed within the cent time of the timer, after the report creation is completed, a call is made to the extension facsimile device that requested the report transmission (step Ql), as shown in Fig. 11. . When the extension facsimile machine answers the call, it performs pre-procedures of the communication protocol (step Q2) and then transmits a report (step Q,).

In this way, when a report transmission request is made using the manual reception procedure, the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 creates a report after receiving the report transmission request, so the report may not be completed within the time allowed by the communication protocol. However, even in this case, a communication error does not occur inadvertently, and a message indicating that the report creation is not completed can be received and sent. come. As a result, the operator of the extension facsimile machine can receive and receive reports without feeling anxious due to a simple communication error, and without having to issue a report transmission request again. Therefore, the usability and convenience of the facsimile storage and forwarding device 11 can be improved.

(Effects) As described above, according to each invention of the present application, the time until the line is disconnected increases the time required to prepare the transmission document, and the line is disconnected in the middle of preparation for transmission. In addition, even if report creation is not completed within the time allowed by the communication protocol, a message to that effect is sent, the line is disconnected, and then the report is created. The report can be sent to the report requesting terminal using the facsimile storage and forwarding device.
Convenience can be further improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile storage and forwarding device of the invention as claimed in claim 1, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the facsimile storage and forwarding device, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transmission procedure thereof. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing switching processing between the standard transmission procedure and the deferred transmission procedure, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart of control signals for the deferred transmission procedure. 5 to U are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile storage and forwarding device of the invention of claim 2, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the facsimile storage and forwarding device, and FIG. 6 is an extension facsimile diagram of the facsimile storage and forwarding device. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the report transmission process when the report creation is completed within the allowable time; Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the report transmission process when the report creation is not completed within the allowable time. FIG. 9 is a timing chart of the control signal when the report transmission request is received; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the message notifying that the rebonide creation is not completed; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing when the facsimile storage and forwarding device makes a call and sends a report. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the transmission procedure of a conventional facsimile storage and forwarding device. 1...Facsimile storage and exchange device, 2...
... Main body, 3 ... Private branch exchange, 4 ... System control section, 5 ... Communication control section, 6 ... Memory (storage section), Ll , ~Lln...Extension, LO, ~LOm...Outside line, F1~Fn...Extension facsimile machine, 11.
...Facsimile storage and exchange device, 12...
・Exchange connection section, 13...Outside line I/F section, 14...Extension 1/F section, 15...Exchange connection control section, 16... System control unit, 17... Memory, 18... Operation unit, LC, xLCn... Line control unit, M, ~Mn.
...Modem, NC, ~NCn...Communication control unit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An exchange that is connected to multiple lines and connects and exchanges the lines, a communication control unit that executes facsimile communication procedures, a storage unit that stores messages, and controls each unit to store reports and storage. In a facsimile storage/exchange device, the system control unit is equipped with a system control unit that transmits received messages and stores received messages in a storage unit.When transmitting a report or message, the system control unit checks the preparation status of the transmission document In response to this, a transmission postponement request is notified to the communication control unit, the communication control unit delays the communication procedure within the scope of CCITT recommendations, and when the preparation of the transmission document is completed and the system control unit issues a preparation completion notification. , a facsimile storage and forwarding device characterized in that a communication control section shifts to a normal communication procedure. (2) An exchange that is connected to multiple lines and connects and exchanges the lines, a communication control unit that executes facsimile communication procedures, a storage unit that stores messages, and controls each unit to store reports and storage. A report transmission request made by a manual reception procedure from a facsimile terminal connected to a line in a facsimile storage and forwarding device equipped with a system control unit that transmits received messages and stores received messages in a storage section. When the system control unit receives the report, the system control unit starts creating a report, and if the report creation is not completed within the time allowed by the communication protocol, it sends a message to the facsimile terminal to the effect that the process cannot be completed in time.
A facsimile storage and forwarding device characterized in that when a line is disconnected and report creation is completed, the facsimile terminal is called and the report is transmitted.