JPH03241961A - Facsimile mail equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To implement a service request in a short time by requesting reoperation of an operation data for a part with an error or after the part with the error to a communication terminal equipment when a data content discrimination means discriminates the operation data to be inadequate. CONSTITUTION:When a tone data has an error, an output command of an error tone is sent to communication processing sections FCU1-FCUn and then an output command of a voice guidance informing the part with an error taking place therein is given. The communication processing sections FCU1-FCUn drive a tone generating section 14 to send an error tone such as a peep tone and then drives a voice generating section 15 thereby sending a voice guidance. The voice guidance points out concretely the part of a faulty service code to request reentry of the service code after the faulty part. Thus, the service request is implemented in a short time and the service request is implemented simply and easily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile mail device, and more particularly, to a facsimile mail device with improved operability during service ordering.

(Prior Art) As the functions of facsimile mail devices become more sophisticated, their operations become more complex. Knowledge is required. For this reason, detailed operating manuals for using facsimile mail devices have been prepared, and operators operate communication terminals (eg, facsimile machines) while referring to the operating manuals. However, as the functions of facsimile mail devices and communication terminals become more sophisticated, the operation manuals become more detailed and thick, making it difficult to make full use of the operation manuals.

Therefore, conventionally, the equipment itself has a so-called help function, and when the operator becomes unable to understand how to operate the equipment, by inserting a help key, etc., the meaning of the key and the information requested by the operator are displayed on the display. It is being displayed on the

In such conventional help functions, when the help key is pressed, regardless of the operating state of the device,
Help information created in advance is displayed on the display. However, simply displaying such pre-prepared help information on a display does not provide help information appropriate to the operator's proficiency level and stage of operation.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-243518, the user's input history information and the output information from the application system are analyzed to narrow down the help items and display them as a help item table. Then, when the user selects several items that he/she wants to know in sequence, help information most suitable for the item that the user wants to know is retrieved and displayed based on the user's selection. This help information is created in advance for each help item that the user may request and is stored in the storage unit.If there is no help information corresponding to the help item selected by the user, the help item will be changed. Decide which help information to display by expanding your selection as appropriate.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-262120, when the same operator or operators belonging to the same group perform a certain number of operations, or when the operator determines that certain guidance information is unnecessary, It has been proposed to display only appropriate and necessary guidance information according to the operator's proficiency level by prohibiting the display of this guidance information during the next operation process when an instruction is given.

The guidance information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the proficiency level of the operator, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of guidance information and displayed.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 63-66623, data regarding the user's personal data and operation history, as well as data regarding the installation environment and operation history of the terminal device, can be used to determine what the user wants. A method has been proposed that detects an operating method that allows the user to reach a desired service in the shortest time and provides it to the user via a display, thereby providing help information that corresponds to the individual's level of proficiency. The help information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the user's proficiency level, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of help information and output.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821, there has been conventionally provided a means for storing a series of operation procedure sequences for each operation of an application program, and a means for storing guide help information for each unit of state and operation. means for storing a set of guide help messages; means for identifying a guide request from a user or an application program; and a means for completing a request for raising questions based on the state of the application program and the operation procedure sequence at the time of the guide request. means for creating a series of operation procedure sequences from the state at the time of request to the end of the operation, means for searching from the guide help information for messages corresponding to each of the series of operation procedure sequences for lifting, and searching by the same means. means for synthesizing and displaying the guided help information, which stores in advance the guide request content <'it), the state and state flow of the application program, and displays the state at the time of the guide request using a state flow table. A proposed method is to create a sequence of operation procedure states from 1 to 2 to perform the desired process, then search for guidance messages for each of the operation procedure state sequences, and finally synthesize and display the messages in the same order as the procedure. has been done. In this case, the guide help information is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation, but the guide help messages for each unit are not freely edited to suit the application program, but are set in advance. It is synthesized according to the procedure given.

Furthermore, in a facsimile mail device, when making a service request (for example, a request to send a message on behalf of the user) from a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine), a telephone or the like attached to the facsimile machine is used to press the PB (button button).
This is done by inputting the service code using the DP (Dial Pulse). In this case, there have conventionally been two methods for receiving the service code of the facsimile mail device. That is, in the first method, as shown in Fig. 14, when a service request is made, the facsimile mail device requests the input of a service code, and when the service code is input, the facsimile mail machine requests the input of the service code. The appropriateness of the application shall be determined based on the following. If the service code is appropriate, a request is made to the facsimile machine to input the next service code, and if there is an abnormality in the service code, an error notification is sent and a request is made to re-enter the service code. Next, in the second method, as shown in Fig. 15, when a service request is made, the facsimile machine requests the input of a service code, and the facsimile machine sends a series of service codes necessary for the requested service all at once. input. When a series of service codes is input, the facsimile mail device determines whether or not all of the series of service codes have been executed correctly, and when all of the service codes have been executed correctly, it issues a completion notification. If there is an error, an error notification is sent to the facsimile machine, and the
Request the service code to be re-entered.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, such conventional help functions, especially Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-243518 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-2621,
Regarding the help functions described in Publication No. 20 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-66623, even if they output help information that corresponds to the proficiency level of the individual, such help information is not carefully created. The information is stored in a memory unit, etc., and is selected and outputted from among these multiple pieces of help information according to the individual's level of proficiency. The problem is that the more you try to accommodate this, the more you need a storage unit with a larger capacity to store the help information, which increases the cost.

In addition, the help function described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821 searches for and displays guides on specific operating procedures to perform the desired process from the point when the user has difficulty with the operation. Therefore, guide information is synthesized as a set of help messages for each unit of status and operation, but this is because guide information is not synthesized by freely combining help messages for each unit. Even in the conventional example, there is a problem that it does not sufficiently meet a wide range of demands, and that a large capacity storage unit is required to meet a wide range of demands, which increases costs.

Furthermore, conventional help functions were positioned as supplementary functions to the operating manual that came with the device, and it was assumed that the user had thoroughly read the operating manual to some extent, so complete beginners could not use the device. When operating the device or if the operating manual attached to the device is lost, there is a problem in that the help function is not sufficient and the device cannot be fully utilized.

In particular, as the functions of devices become more sophisticated and diversified, their operation methods become more complex, and the operation manuals that come with devices are also thicker and more complex. It has become difficult to master how to use it. Therefore, unlike conventional help functions, there is a need for an improved man-machine interface that allows users to fully utilize the device without having to read the operating manual attached to the device.

In addition, conventionally there was a two-step method for requesting service to a facsimile mail device, but the suitability of each service code is judged for each first service code, and if there is an error in the service code, the The method of asking the operator to re-enter the service code and proceeding to input the next service code is convenient when the operator is a beginner, but as the operator becomes more familiar, having to perform the confirmation process each time is cumbersome and results in time-consuming ordering. The problem was that it lasted for a long time. In addition, the second batch input method allows input in a short time and is convenient, but if an input error occurs, it is difficult to know in which part the input error was made.
There was a problem in that the operator had to re-enter the service code from the beginning, which was rather inconvenient for the operator.

(Object of the Invention) Therefore, the invention as claimed in claim 1 is a facsimile mail device that combines a plurality of processing steps to realize various functions. , determines the function requested by the operator from the data input to the facsimile mail device, and processes the operations in the steps that should be executed to realize that function. Freely combines the explanation data of the operation contents for each step to operate. By creating a manual and providing it to the operator, the required capacity of the storage unit for storing explanatory data can be reduced, and an operation manual that can sufficiently respond to a wide range of operator requests can be provided, and even beginners can use the manual. In addition, by making it possible to realize the desired functions of the facsimile mail device without the attached operating manual, and by making it possible for fax machines to make service requests to the facsimile mail device without making mistakes, we aim to improve the man-machine interface. The purpose is to make it possible to fully utilize the functions of the device, and when a service is requested, service codes are accepted in sequence, and if there is an error in the service code, the error is pointed out and only the incorrect part or It is an object of the present invention to enable a service request to be made by re-entering only after the incorrect part, so that the service request can be made in a short time, and to make the service request simple and easy. The invention provides that, when various system information necessary for realizing the functions of the facsimile mail device is preliminarily input, when creating the operation manual according to claim 1, the system information is incorporated to create the operation manual. By operating the operation manual according to its contents, the system information can also be input and operated, and even if the operator has forgotten or does not know the system information, by operating according to the operation manual, the purpose can be achieved. When requesting a service, Totomo will provide the service code to enable you to realize the functions of facsimile mail devices, further improve the man-machine interface, and make it easier and more fully to utilize the functions of facsimile mail. If there is an error in the service code, the error is pointed out and the service request can be made by re-entering only the incorrect part or after the incorrect part, so that the service request can be made in a short time. With,
It aims to make service requests simple and easy.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides the following: When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal. , execute a plurality of processing steps in combination according to the operation data,
In a facsimile mail device that realizes multiple functions and provides various communication services, there is provided a reception@control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a method for creating an operation manual from the data received by the reception control means. a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for the process; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation content required for each of the above processing steps; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means. an editing control means that edits and creates an operation manual necessary to realize a desired function by combining explanatory data of the operation contents at each step stored in the instruction information storage means; and an operation manual created by the editing control means. transmission control means for transmitting the information to the communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal; and data content determination means for determining the suitability of the operation data for the service request transmitted from the communication terminal; In addition, when a service request is made from a communication terminal, operation data for the service request is sequentially received from the communication terminal, and the data content determination means detects the operation data. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that if the communication terminal is determined to be inappropriate, the communication terminal is requested to re-operate only the part where the abnormality occurred or only the operation data after the part where the abnormality occurred. When an operation is performed, operation data corresponding to the operation content is received from the communication terminal, and a plurality of processing steps are combined and executed according to the operation data,
In a facsimile mail device that realizes multiple functions and provides various communication services, there is provided a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a method for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means. A data storage means for extracting and storing necessary data, an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents required for each of the above processing steps, and an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents required for each of the above processing steps; A system information storage means for storing various types of system information inputted and operated, and data stored in the data storage means are analyzed and explanation data of the operation contents at each step stored in the instruction information storage means are combined to obtain a purpose. an editing control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary to realize the function; a transmission control means for transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means to the communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal; data content determining means for determining the appropriateness of the operation data for the service request received; and an operation manual incorporating system information stored in the system information storage means in response to an operation manual request from a communication terminal. At the same time, when a service request is made from a communication terminal, the operation data for the service request is sequentially received from the communication terminal, and when the data content determination means determines that the operation data is not transmitted, the communication terminal It is characterized by requesting re-operation of only the part where the abnormality occurred or only the operation data after the part where the abnormality occurred.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device l according to each invention of the present application. 8, a communication processing unit FCU1''FCUn, etc.

The system control section 2 controls each section of the facsimile mail device 1 according to programs stored in the internal memory or the floppy disk device 5 or the hard disk device 6. The facsimile mail apparatus 1 performs writing and reading to and from the facsimile mail apparatus 1, and also controls each communication processing unit FCUI to FCUn. The facsimile mail device l has various functions (communication services) such as a proxy communication function, a broadcast function, a confidential communication function, a specified time transmission function, and a serial communication function. Execution of each function/
Control is performed by controlling each communication processing unit FCU1 to FCUn. In addition, in order to use these functions of the facsimile mail device 1, a communication terminal connected to the facsimile mail device 1, for example, a facsimile device, performs certain operations on the facsimile mail device 1 to request a service. As will be described later, in the present invention, the communication terminal can request the facsimile mail device for an operation manual showing the operation details of this service request, and the communication terminal can also handle error handling at the time of the service request. This allows for convenient processing in a short period of time.

The disk control unit 3 and the disk control unit 4 control the drive of the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk device 6.7, and the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk device 6.7 store basic programs and various data as the facsimile mail device 1. In particular, it stores messages sent from communication terminals and messages sent from a host device (described later).

The host interface unit 8 includes a host device, for example,
A computer device or the like is connected, and the host interface unit 8 executes communication control with the host device. What is connected to this unloaded interface unit 8 is not limited to a host device such as a computer device,
For example, it may be another facsimile mail device. The host interface section 8 includes a DMAC (direct memory access controller) that directly connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1, and a communication control section that connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1 via a line. etc. are used.

The communication processing units FCUI to FCTJn are provided as many as the number of storage lines, and each communication processing unit FCUI to FCUn is
As shown in the figure, the communication processing units FCUI and FCUn include a network control unit 11, a modem 12, and an MF tone recognition unit 1.
3. Tone generation section 14, voice generation section 15, communication control section 16, encoding/decoding section 17, channel control section 18, control program storage section 19, OMR processing section 20, data storage section 21, storage memory 22 , an instruction information storage section 23, a manual generation buffer 24, a system information storage section 25, an editing control section 26, a bus control section 27, and the like.

Lines L1 to Ln are connected to the network control unit 11, and the line L
For example, a telephone line or the like is connected to l-Ln.

The network control unit 11 is what is called an AA-NCU, and performs automatic call origination and call termination processing.

Modem 12 modulates the transmitted signal and demodulates the received signal.

The MF tone recognition unit 13 recognizes tone signals sent from the lines L1 to Ln, and the tone signals include tone signals such as PB (button button) and DP (dial pulse).

Tone generator 14 generates tone signals and sends them to lines L1 to Ln via modem 12 and network controller 11.

The voice generation section 15 includes a memory for storing various voice data, a voice processing circuit, etc., and outputs a voice response to a service request or the like, particularly voice guidance when a service request error occurs according to the present invention.

The communication control unit 16 exchanges facsimile authorization control signals with a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected via the lines L1 to Ln, and executes a facsimile communication procedure.

The encoding/decoding unit 17 encodes the message using a predetermined encoding method, and also decodes the encoded message.

The control program storage unit 19 includes communication processing units FCU1 to FCU1.
A basic program as CUn, an operation manual generation/output processing program for each invention of the present application, an error processing program, etc. are stored.

The channel control unit 18 controls each unit of the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn according to the program in the control program storage unit 19 to execute the sequence as the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn, and also performs operation manual generation/output processing of each invention of the present application. and perform error handling.

The OMR processing unit 20 detects whether or not the received message is an OMR sheet message, and when the received message is an OMR sheet message, the OMR processing unit 20 detects marks and markings on the OMR sheet from the received OMR sheet message. The mark position is detected and the detection result is stored in the storage memory 22.

The data storage unit (data storage means) 21 includes lines Ll to L
Of the data (text, dial tone, etc.) sent from the other party's communication terminal via n, only the data necessary for creating the operation manual is stored, and the data necessary for creating the operation manual is, for example, The manual request command, the type of operation manual requested (that is, the type of service requested by the other operator from the facsimile mail device 1), the type of the other operator (for example, the ID of the other party's terminal, the operator's ID, etc.), and the other operator's This is data related to data indicating the level of proficiency.

As described above, the storage memory 22 is connected to the OMR processing unit 20.
Temporarily stores the detection results of the OMR sheet messages detected by the OMR sheet and messages other than the OMR sheet when transferring them to the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk device 6.7. - time is stored when transmitting the message within via the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn.

The instruction information storage unit (instruction information storage means) 23 stores explanatory data of the operation contents on the communication terminal required for each of a plurality of processing steps to realize the service (function) provided by the facsimile mail device 1. Remember. That is, when requesting a service from the facsimile mail device 1, a certain operation is required for each of the processing steps PO to P11, as shown in FIG. Explanatory data explaining the operation details required at the communication terminal for each pH is stored in advance. Therefore, the instruction information storage unit 23 stores the processing steps necessary to realize each function of the facsimile mail device 1,
It is only necessary to store explanatory data for each function, and there is no need to store multiple types of help information corresponding to the individual's proficiency level for each function, unlike in the past.

An operation manual, which will be described later, is developed in the manual generation buffer 24.

The system information storage unit (system information storage means) 25 stores predetermined system information required to realize the functions of the facsimile mail device 1, and this system information includes, for example, user ID, number, and destination. ID
, No. and the destination telephone number (Te1.No).

When there is a request for an operation manual, the editing control unit (editing control means) 26 analyzes the data stored in the data storage unit 21 and determines the type of operation manual requested by the other operator (i.e., the purpose of the operator). The instruction information storage unit 23 stores explanatory data for each processing step PO-pH necessary to realize the desired functions of the facsimile mail device 1 and the proficiency level of the operator. , and edit and create it in the manual generation buffer 24 as an operation manual. Further, at this time, if the system information storage unit 25 stores system information necessary to realize the function, the operation manual is edited and created by incorporating this system information.

This facsimile mail device 1 includes each communication processing unit FCU.
Lines L1 to Ln are housed for each of I to FCUn, and facsimile communication is performed with the other communication terminal connected via these lines LL to Ln. When the facsimile mail device 1 receives a service request from a communication terminal connected via the lines L1 to Ln, it analyzes the requested service and provides the service. This service request can be made using an MR sheet or a tone signal.

When the other party's communication terminal makes a service request using the OMR sheet, the facsimile mail device 1
The processing unit 20 reads the mark position on the OMR sheet and develops the reading result in the storage memory 22. The channel control unit 18 analyzes the contents of the storage memory 22, determines the contents of the service request, and executes the requested service.

For example, when the service request is for a time-specific transmission service, the facsimile mail device 1 temporarily stores the received encoded message in the storage memory 22, encodes and
After decoding in the decoding section 17 and re-encoding using a predetermined encoding method, or directly via the bus control section 27, the floppy disk 5 or the hard disk 6.
Accumulates to 7. Thereafter, at the specified transmission time, the message is read from the floppy disk 5 or hard disk 6.7, and the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn that are free are used.
The data is transferred to the bus controller 27 via the bus controller 27. Communication processing section F
The CUI to FCUn temporarily store the transferred message in the storage memory 20, and re-encode it using a predetermined encoding method in the encoding/decoding unit 17, or transmit it as is to the designated destination.

Next, the effect will be explained.

As mentioned above, when a facsimile mail device receives a service request from a communication terminal, it provides the requested service, but if the operator of the communication terminal does not know how to operate it, the facsimile mail device l provides the requested service. A manual request is accepted, an operation manual corresponding to the service (function of facsimile mail device 1) requested by the operator is created and sent to the communication terminal.

That is, when the operator of the communication terminal requests the facsimile mail device 1 for an operating manual, he first calls the facsimile mail device 1 and requests the operating manual. This request for the operation manual can be made using a tone signal by performing key operations according to the voice guidance from the facsimile mail device I, or the request for the operation manual can be made using an OMR sheet. You can also do that. For example, when requesting an operating manual using an OMR sheet, an OMR sheet 30 (see FIG. 3) prepared for requesting an operating manual is used. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, this OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual includes a start mark 30a, an initial inclination permissible limit determination mark 30b, a guide mark 30c, a mode switching mark 30, like a normal OMR sheet.
d, field number 30e, free area division designation mark 30f,
It has an end mark 30g, etc., as well as marks specially provided for requesting an operating manual, such as an inquiry mark 30h, and a voice guidance required/unnecessary mark 3.
0i, mail type (service type) mark 30j,
Whether or not the time is specified and the specified time mark 30 are included.

When an operator of a communication terminal requests an operation manual using the OMR sheet 30, he calls the facsimile mail device 1 and sends an OM to the communication terminal (for example, a facsimile device).
All you have to do is read the R sheet 30 and send it.

Next, we will discuss the process in the facsimile mail device l.
This will be explained based on FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the facsimile mail device 1 receives an incoming call (step 31), it receives the user ID (step S2) and checks whether the received user ID is registered (step 33). This user ID is for using the fax mailing device 1 and is stored in the system information storage section 25. If the received user ID is not registered, error processing is performed (step S4), and a check is made as to whether or not to be re-entered manually (step S5). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S2 to receive the user ID, and if re-input is not required, error handling and line disconnection are performed to end this flow (steps S6 and S7).
).

In step S3, if the received user ID is registered, a check is made to see if the ordering is by PB) (step S8), and if it is PB ordering, the PB ordering is received (step S9).
. When the reception of the PB ordering is completed, it is checked whether the ordering is normal or not (step 310), and if the ordering is normal, the reception of the message is started (step 511). When the reception of all the messages is completed (step 12), check whether the messages were received normally (step 513). If the messages were received normally, disconnect the lines L1 to Ln. The reception process ends (step 514). Step 31
If the message was not received normally in step 3,
After performing error processing, disconnect lines L1 to Ln (
Step S15.514). Also, in step SIO,
If the ordering using the PB tone is not carried out normally, error processing (described later) is performed (step 516), and a check is made to see if re-input is required (step 517). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S9 and the ordering by PB)-on is received; if re-input is not performed, error processing (for example, a notification to the communication terminal to disconnect the line) is sent. Feedback etc.]
After performing this, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (step S15.514).

Steps S9 to S17 described above are the flow of the normal service request receiving process of the facsimile mail device 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the order is not by PB), the message is received (step 318).
), it is checked whether the received message is an OMR sheet message or an OMR sheet for inquiry, that is, for requesting an operation manual (step S19.320).

If the request is not an inquiry request (operation manual request), ordering processing using the OMR sheet is performed (step 521). That is, the OMR processing unit 20 reads the mark position of the ○MR sheet from the message of the received OMR sheet and develops it in the storage memory 22, and the channel control unit 18 reads the contents of the OMR sheet developed in the storage memory 22. Analyze and determine the contents of the ordering. It is checked whether the ordering has been carried out normally (step 522). If the ordering has not been carried out normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected after error handling (step S23.514). If the ordering is performed normally, the messages are received, and when all the messages are received normally, the line LL-Ln is disconnected and this flow is ended (steps 311 to 515).

In step S20, when the inquiry request (operation manual request) is made, the inquiry processing using the OMR sheet (
Check whether the operation manual request (operation manual request) was performed normally (step 325); if not, error processing is performed and then the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (steps S6, S7). If the inquiry request is successfully made, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected - step 326). The inquiry is analyzed (the content of the request for the operation manual is analyzed) (step 527).

Next, it is checked whether the contents of the inquiry request are normal (step 328), and if the contents of the inquiry request are not normal, error processing is performed and this flow is ended (step 529). When the content of the inquiry is normal, the operation manual editing creation process and the operation manual output process are performed, and this flow is ended (step S30.531). In this operation manual output process, the created operation manual may be sent directly to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, or it may be placed in a post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and the communication terminal requests the output. You can send it when you receive it.

Next, the inquiry analysis process in step S27 will be explained. Each communication processing unit FCUI to FCUn is ○MR
The mark position of the OMR sheet 30 is read from the telegram of the operation manual request OMR sheet 30 received by the processing unit 20 and expanded into the storage memory 22, and the contents of the OMR sheet expanded into the storage memory 22 are transmitted to the channel control unit 18. The content of the operation manual request is determined by analyzing the information. That is, the channel control unit 18 analyzes the contents developed in the storage memory 22, and as shown in FIG. 5, first determines whether voice guidance is necessary (step R1).

○ If it is determined that there is a mark at the key position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the MR sheet, set the system parameter dO to aO in step R2),
If it is determined that the voice guidance mark 30i on the sheet is in the negative position, the system parameter do is set to al (step 3). here,
System parameters are parameters that determine which processing step to proceed to next when moving from each processing step shown in Figure 2 to the next processing step, and as shown in Fig. 6, instruction information The information is stored in a buffer for storing system parameters formed in the storage unit 23. Note that the system parameter dO is a parameter indicating whether voice guidance is necessary or not, and the system parameters d1 and d
2. In d3, enter the selection of a post office box or bulletin board, whether or not to specify a time, and the destination using the address number 100 No. or the telephone number (Te
1. d4 stores the selection of whether to input No, etc., and the parameter of whether or not to broadcast simultaneously.

After setting whether or not voice guidance is necessary and its system parameters, the channel control unit 18 then determines whether or not it is a post office box service (step R4), and if it is not a post office box service, sets the system parameter d1 to b2. Then, it is checked whether or not there is a post office box N09 (a serial number given to the message that the user inserts into the post office box) (steps R5 and R6). If there is a post office box No. 1, store that post office box No. 1 in the system information storage unit 25.
, and proceed to the next step (step R7). If the post office box No. 9 is not found, proceed directly to the next step.

In step R4, if it is not a post office box service, check whether it is a bulletin board service (step R8); if it is a bulletin board service, set the system parameter d1 to bl.
It is checked whether there is a bulletin board N01 (serial number given to the message that the user posts on the bulletin board) by setting it to the bulletin board (steps R9 and R10). If there is a bulletin board No. 1, the bulletin board No. is stored in the system information storage unit 2.
2 and proceed to the next step (step R11).
, bulletin board NO,, the process directly advances to the next step.

If it is not a bulletin board service in step R4, a check is made to see if it is a normal message (step R12), and if it is not a normal message, an error process is performed and the flow ends (step R13). If it is a normal message, the system parameter dl is set to d2 and the process moves to the next step (step R14).

When the system parameters have been set according to whether it is a post office box, a bulletin board, or an ordinary message, a check is then made to see if the time is specified (step R15), and if the time is not specified, the system parameter d2 is set to d3. (Step R16). This system parameter d3 will be set again in later processing. When specifying the time, set the system parameter d2 to b3 in step R.
17) Check whether the specified time is normal (step R18). If the specified time is not normal, perform error processing and end this flow (step R19); if the specified time is normal, the specified time is stored in the system information storage unit 25 and the destination is Te1. Check whether the designation is by No (Step 7 R20, R21). The destination is Te1. When the designation is No, the system parameter d3 is set to b4 (step R22), and the process proceeds to the next step. The destination is Te1. If no is specified,
It is checked whether the destination is specified by ID and No. (step R25). The destination is Te1. Even if No, ID again,
If the answer is No, it is not specified, it is determined that there is an error, and after error processing is performed, this flow is ended (step R19). When the destination is specified by ID and No., the system parameter d3 is set to b5 (step R2).
6) Check whether it is a broadcast service (step R).
27). If it is not a broadcast service, the system parameter d4 is set to c2 (step R28), and if it is a broadcast service, the system parameter d4 is set to cl (step R29). After setting each system parameter in this way, a service code is determined from the set system parameters and stored in the register (step R30). That is, by detecting and setting system parameters, the type of function (service) requested by the operator of the communication terminal is determined, and an operation manual corresponding to the type of service requested by the operator of this communication terminal is created.

Next, this operation manual creation process will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The editing control unit 26 first turns on the counters n, m, and 1.
is set (reset) (step Ql), and the code of processing step Pn is stored in the manual generation buffer 24 (step Q2). That is, first, processing step PO
The code is stored in the manual generation buffer 24. Next, the editing control unit 26 reads the system parameters (system parameters dO to d4, etc. set in FIG. 5 above) of this processing step Pn from the instruction information storage unit 23 (step Q3), and the system parameters are
” (step Q4). If the system parameter is “0”, the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter “0” and the code of the next processing step Pn are checked in processing step Pn. Read and store in manual generation buffer 24 (step Q5),
On the other hand, when the system parameter is not "PaO", the value of the system parameter dm is read from the system information storage unit 25 (step Q6), the processing step Pn and the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter dm and the next processing step Pn. The code is read out from the instruction information storage unit 23 and stored as A2 in the manual generation buffer 24 (step Q7).

That is, the processing step Pn and the system parameters correspond to each other as shown in FIG.
Once n and the system parameters are determined, the next processing step Pn is determined, and the explanatory data for that processing step Pn is determined accordingly. Therefore, by freely combining the processing step Pn and the system parameters, the next processing step Pn can be freely set, and the explanatory data necessary for the operation at this processing step Pn can be freely combined. can.

In this way, first, when the address setting of the processing step PO, the next processing step Pn corresponding to the system parameter aO, and the explanatory data of the system parameter dm is completed, m+1 is set as the parameter m, and step Q8
), it is checked whether it is the final processing step Pn (step Q9).

If it is not the final processing step Pn, the process returns to step Q3, and similarly, for each processing step Pn, the next processing step Pn and the manual storage of the explanatory data address A2 in the H-7 interface 24 are performed. (Step Q3 to Step Q8). When the above processing is repeatedly executed up to the final processing step Pn, the manual generation buffer 24 contains the following information as shown in FIG.
The code of the processing step Pn necessary for executing the service requested by the operator and the address A2 of the explanatory data for the processing step Pn are developed in the order of address setting.

Therefore, by freely setting the system parameters, it is possible to freely set the processing step Pn corresponding to each of the multiple functions of the facsimile mail device i, and to freely set the explanatory data of each processing step Pn corresponding to the desired function. can be combined with

Next, the service code stored in the system information storage section 25 is read out (step Qll), a part of the corresponding header is taken out, and as shown in FIG.
0a (step Q12).

Here, the counter l is set to "l OI" (step Q13), and the explanatory data stored at the address Af is read out and developed in the character data area 40b of the operating manual of the manual generation buffer 24 (step Q14). In addition, explanatory figures (stored in the preliminary instruction information storage unit 23 in association with the explanatory data of the processing step Pn, or independently independent of the explanatory data) and system information storage unit 25 are also stored in the system information storage unit 25. System information (Te1.No, ID, No, etc.)
Read out,? -1-s Expand to the image area 40c of the full generation buffer 24 (step Q15). When the expansion of each data of the corresponding address Al to the manual generation buffer 24 is completed, it is checked whether it is the final data (step Q16), and if it is not the final data, the counter 1 is incremented by 1 (f-1!+1).
Then, the process returns to step Q14. Similarly, explanatory data, explanatory figures, and system information for each address Af entered in the manual generation buffer 24 are developed into the manual generation buffer 24, and when the processing is completed for all addresses A2, the operation manual editing/creation process ends. do.

The operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer 24 in this way is output from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, and the communication terminal does not receive the operation manual 50 as shown in FIG. You can take it. The operator of the communication terminal who has received the operation manual can receive the intended service of the facsimile mail device 1 by looking at the transmitted operation manual and performing the operations as described in the operation manual. I can do it.

This output process can be sent directly when the generation of the operation manual is completed, or it can be sent to the post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and sent when there is a request from the communication terminal to send the operation manual of the post office box. You may
The output method is not limited.

Therefore, the facsimile mail device 1 as a device edits and creates an operation manual for the operations necessary to realize the functions requested by the operator by freely combining explanatory data for each processing step necessary to realize the functions. Intimidate,
It can be output. As a result, it is possible to generate and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands without using a large-capacity storage means. In addition, we can provide an operation manual for the series of operations necessary to realize the function from the beginning to the completion of the operation, so even beginners can achieve the desired function of the device even if there is no operation manual attached to the device. can be realized with certainty. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved and the functions of the equipment can be fully utilized.

In addition, for facsimile mail devices that are equipped with communication functions, we accept requests for operation manuals from communication terminals, and edit and create operation manuals necessary to realize the functions desired by the requesting operator. The function of the facsimile mail device as a device equipped with a communication function can be easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

Furthermore, in a facsimile mail device that is a device equipped with a communication function, in response to an operation inquiry using an OMR sheet from a communication terminal, the operator who receives the request edits and edits the operation manual necessary to realize the desired function. It can be created and sent to the communication terminal, and it is possible to more easily make inquiries about operations from the communication terminal to the facsimile mail device, which is a device equipped with a communication function. As a result, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the facsimile mail device can be more easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

Further, in the above embodiment, when creating an operation manual, the system information stored in the preliminary system information storage section 25 is incorporated to edit and edit the operation manual.
Since it has been created, the operator can request the desired service from the facsimile mail device by operating the contents described in the operation manual as they are.

Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the equipment can be used even more easily and fully.

Further, even when a service request is made based on such an operation manual, there is a possibility that an operation error will occur. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1112, when a service is requested, service codes are sequentially received,
If there is an error in the service code, we will point out the error and
The service request can be made again by manual labor only for the erroneous part or only after the erroneous part, so that the service request can be made in a short time, and the service request can be made simply and easily.

That is, in the facsimile mail device 1, when the MF tone recognition unit 13 receives a service request tone (for example, FBI-tone) from a communication terminal (step T1),
Check whether the received tone data is "'*" or "'#pa" indicating a service code delimiter (step T2). If the received tone data is not data indicating a service code delimiter, the received tone data is stored in the data storage unit 2.
1 and returns to step T1 (step T3). Here, the tone data "'*" indicates a break between each service code of a service request formed by a series of multiple service codes, and "#" indicates the end of the service request data formed by a series of service codes. . When the transmitted tone data is "*" or "#", the data stored in the data storage section 21 is passed to the system control section 2, and the system control section 2 receives and analyzes the contents of the received data. Check whether the service request has been made correctly (steps T5 and T6). This data content check is performed by comparing the standard service code data stored in advance in the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk device 6.7 with the data received from the data storage section 21. therefore,
The system control unit 2 has a function as data content determining means for determining the appropriateness of a service request.

If there is an error in the tone data, the communication processing unit FCU
An instruction is issued to output an error tone to I to FCUn, and then an instruction is issued to output audio guidance to notify the portion where the error has occurred (step T8). Communication processing unit FCUI
~FCUn first drives the tone generator 14 to send out an error tone, for example, a beep sound (step T9),
Next, the voice generating section 15 is driven to send out voice guidance (step Tl0). This voice guidance specifically points out the part of the service code where the abnormality occurred and requests the user to re-enter the service code after the part where the abnormality occurred. The system control section 2 returns the received data from the data storage section 21 to the normally received portion (step Tl1), and returns to step Tl to receive tone data.

If the content of the received tone data is normal (step T7), check whether it is the last digit of the service code, that is, whether °“#” has been received (step T12); if it is not the last digit, that is, * ”, the process returns to step T1 and performs the same process. When it is the last digit, it is determined that the service request has been made normally, and the error handling is terminated.

Therefore, unlike in the past, there is no need to notify the user of the normality or abnormality of the service code every time the service code is input manually, or to request re-input from the beginning if an error occurs after inputting the invitation. As shown, the service code is received one after another, and only when an error occurs in the service code, the communication terminal is notified that an error has occurred and the location where the error occurred, and the service code is sent from the location where the error occurred. You can request re-manpower only after that. As a result, service requests can be made quickly, easily and reliably, and the man-machine interface can be further improved.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it is determined whether the data is normal or abnormal for each break in the service request code, and if there is an abnormality,
Although that part is pointed out and the user is requested to re-enter the information after that part, the information is not limited to this. For example, you can accept the service codes necessary for service requests all at once, and if there is an abnormality in the data, you can point out that part and request re-input after the abnormal point; Instead of re-entering the information thereafter, it may be possible to request re-input only for the abnormal location.

In this case, the system control unit 2 only needs to rewrite only the abnormal part of the data received from the data storage unit 21.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the voice guidance allows
Although only a request is made for re-input after the abnormal location, in this case as well, an operation manual may be created for the portions that require re-operation and output to the communication terminal. In this case, the process of the communication terminal's service request can be understood from the data stored in the data storage unit 21, and the necessary operation manual can be created.

(Effect) According to the invention described in claim 1, for each processing step of a facsimile mail device that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for that step is stored. Determine the functions requested by the operator from the data input to the mail device,
The operations at each step that should be executed to realize the function can be created as an operation manual by freely combining explanatory data of the operation contents for each processing step and provided to the operator, and the explanatory data can be stored. It is possible to reduce the required capacity of the storage unit and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator requirements. It is possible to realize the functions of a mail device. As a result, it is possible to make a service request to the facsimile mail device without making a mistake, and it is possible to improve the man-machine interface and make full use of the functions of the device.

In addition, when requesting a service, service codes are accepted in sequence, and if there is an error in the service code, the error is pointed out and the service request can be made by re-entering only the incorrect part or only after the incorrect part. It is possible to make a service request in a short time, and it is also possible to make the service request simple and easy.

According to the invention set forth in claim 2, when various system information necessary for realizing the functions of the facsimile mail device is inputted in advance, when creating the operation manual,
An operation manual can be created by incorporating this system information, and by operating the operation manual according to its contents, the system information can also be inputted. Therefore, even if the operator has forgotten or does not know the system information, by operating according to the operating manual, the desired i-function of the facsimile mail device can be realized, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the facsimile mail device It is possible to make the functions of -N easier and more fully utilized.

In addition, when requesting a service, service codes are accepted in sequence, and if there is an error in the service code, the error is pointed out and the service request can be made by re-entering only the incorrect part or only after the incorrect part. It is possible to make a service request in a short time, and it is also possible to make the service request simple and easy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 13 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile mail device according to the inventions of the present application, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the facsimile mail device, and FIG. 2 is a transition of processing steps of the facsimile mail device. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the OMR sheet for requesting the operation manual, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the basic processing of the facsimile mail device, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation manual request analysis process, Figure 6 shows the system parameter storage buffer, Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation manual editing/creation process, and Figure 8 shows the processing steps and status of system parameters stored in the instruction information storage section. 9 is a diagram showing the address settings of processing steps and explanatory data stored in the manual generation buffer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing each data of the operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the output operation manual, Figure i2 is a flowchart showing error processing at the time of the service request, and Figure 13 is a sequence diagram at the time of the service request. Figures 14 and 15 are diagrams showing an example of a conventional facsimile mail device, and Figure 14 shows the content fII for each service code division.
Figure 15 is a sequence diagram for processing the service codes in batch. ■・・・Facsimile mail device, 2・・・・・・
・System control unit, 3... Disk control unit, 4... Disk control unit, 5... Floppy disk device, 6...
・Hard disk device, 7...Hard disk device, 8...Host interface section, 11...
...Network control unit, 12...Modem, 13...MF tone recognition unit, 14...Tone generation unit, 15...Voice generation unit, 16... Communication control unit, 17... Encoding/decoding unit, 18... Channel control unit, 19... Control program storage unit, 20... ...
...OMR processing unit, 21...-data storage unit, 22...storage memory, 23...instruction information storage unit, 24...
...Manual generation buffer, 25 ...System information storage section, 26 ...Edit control section, 27 ...Bus control section, 30 ...Operation OMR sheet for manual request,
30h...Inquiry mark, 30i...
・Voice guidance required/unnecessary mark, 30j...
・Mail type (service type) mark, 30k...
・・・・Presence of time specification and specified time mark, 40a・
...Hender part, 40b...Character data area, 40c...
...Image data area. Figure 8 (Processing Steps) (System Parameters) (Next Processing Step 7) [22] [22] [22] Figure 12 Figure 3 Figure 3 Facsimile Wi Product switching equipment communication terminal

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and multiple processing steps are combined and executed according to the operation data to perform multiple functions. A facsimile mail device that is realized and provides various communication services includes a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a reception control means for receiving data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means. A data storage means for retrieving and storing data, an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation content required for each of the above processing steps, and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means. an editing control means that edits and creates an operation manual necessary to realize a desired function by combining explanatory data of the operation contents at each step stored in the controller; and a communication terminal that requests the operation manual created by the editing control means. a transmission control means for transmitting data to a communication terminal in response to an operation manual request from the communication terminal; and a data content determination means for determining suitability of the operation data for the service request transmitted from the communication terminal; It edits, creates and outputs an operation manual accordingly, and also receives operation data for a service request from a communication terminal in sequence when a service request is made from a communication terminal, and if the data content determination means determines that the operation data is inappropriate. A facsimile mail device is characterized in that a communication terminal is requested to re-operate only the part where the abnormality occurred or only the operation data after the part where the abnormality occurred. (2) When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and multiple processing steps are combined and executed according to the operation data to perform multiple functions. A facsimile mail device that is realized and provides various communication services includes a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a reception control means for receiving data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means. a data storage means for retrieving and storing data; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents required for each of the above-mentioned processing steps; The system information storage means for storing various system information and the data stored in the data storage means are analyzed and the explanation data of the operation contents at each step stored in the instruction information storage means are combined to realize the desired function. an editing control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary for implementation; a transmission control means for transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means to the communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal; A data content determination means for determining the appropriateness of operation data for a service request is provided, and an operation manual incorporating system information stored in the system information storage means is edited and created in response to an operation manual request from a communication terminal. At the same time, when a service request is made from a communication terminal, the operation data for the service request is sequentially received from the communication terminal, and when the data content determination means determines that the operation data is inappropriate, at that point, the communication terminal A facsimile mail device that requests re-operation of only the part where the abnormality has occurred or only the operation data after the part where the abnormality has occurred.