JPH04220868A - Facsimile communication modem - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow other facsimile equipment than a destination to transfer a received picture quickly and surely to a prescribed destination when the above facsimile equipment receives the picture in deputy by providing a LAN transferring the received picture locally between plural facsimile equipments. CONSTITUTION:Identification information of its own or other facsimile equipments is registered in advance in a system memory of each facsimile equipment 1. When the facsimile equipment 1 receives an NSS signal, whether or not a destination telephone number is addressed to its own equipment is discriminated, When the destination telephone number is not its own equipment, a picture is received and the received picture is once stored in a picture memory. Then a LAN address corresponding to the destination telephone number is discriminated and the received picture is transferred to a prescribed facsimile equipment.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication system comprised of a plurality of facsimile machines.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art When a plurality of facsimile machines are installed in various offices, each facsimile machine 1 is sometimes connected to a public telephone network 3 via a private branch exchange 2, as shown in FIG.

[0003] In this case, the functions of the public telephone line 3 and the private branch exchange 2 are such that each extension to which the facsimile machine 1 is connected is given a general telephone number, and the external facsimile machine 4 can call each extension. There is a direct in-dial (dial-in) function that allows a user to directly call the facsimile machine 1 using a telephone number.

Furthermore, the private branch exchange 2 has a function of connecting to another facsimile machine 1b when one facsimile machine 1a receiving a call is in communication with another facsimile machine.

[0005]

In this case, the facsimile device 1b records and outputs an image addressed to the facsimile device 1a. Then, the operator looks at the received image, determines the recipient, and delivers it to the recipient.

However, for example, if the received image is received on a facsimile machine that is far away from the recipient, it takes time to reach the recipient, and the image-recorded document may be lost due to an operator's mistake. There was a problem that it sometimes stuck.

On the other hand, as a function of facsimile machines, a broadcast transmission function for sequentially transmitting the same document to a plurality of designated destinations is well known.

[0008] When a facsimile machine performs broadcast transmission, conventionally, the transmission process is executed for each facsimile machine one by one, even if the facsimile machines at the destination are installed nearby within one business office. Was.

[0009] Therefore, there is a problem in that the transmission process takes time and communication charges increase.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems and provide a facsimile communication system that can deliver transmitted images to recipients more quickly and reliably, and can save on communication charges during broadcast transmission. purpose.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problem] To this end, one of the inventions of the present application is to connect a plurality of facsimile machines to a public telephone line network via a private branch exchange, and when the incoming extension is busy, the incoming call is received on another extension. In the case where the facsimile machine is equipped with an image transmission means for locally transmitting images between multiple facsimile machines, and when receiving the image, it receives the destination information of the image, and if the destination information indicates the own device, , while the received image is recorded and output as is, if the destination information specifies another facsimile device, the image transfer means transfers the received image to the specified facsimile device.

[0012] In another invention, when a plurality of facsimile machines are installed at a certain place and each is connected to a public telephone line network, images are transmitted locally between the facsimile machines in the same way as described above. comprises an image transmission means, and when receiving an image, receives broadcast destination information of the image and transmits the received image to one or more facsimile devices indicated by the broadcast destination information. I am trying to transfer it by some means.

[0013]

[Operation] In the above-mentioned one invention, when a facsimile machine other than the destination facsimile machine receives a call and receives an image, the received image is automatically transferred to the destination facsimile machine, so that the transmitted image can be transferred quickly and reliably. can be delivered to the recipient at

[0014] In another invention, when the sending side sends a broadcast to a plurality of facsimile machines at a certain location,
It is only necessary to send the image to one of them. This shortens transmission time and saves communication charges.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, facsimile machines 1 are a plurality of machines installed within the premises of a single business office, and each facsimile machine 1 is connected to an extension line of a private branch exchange 2. Furthermore, the facsimile machines 1 each have a LAN (LAN) for transmitting images between each other.
Local Area Network) 5 has been formed.

The private branch exchange 2 is connected to a facsimile machine 4 at the communication destination via a public telephone network 3.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of each of the facsimile apparatuses 1. As shown in FIG. In the figure, a scanner 101 reads an original image and extracts image information, and a plotter 102 records the image on recording paper. The encoding/decoding unit 103 compresses image information to be transmitted by encoding it, and decodes received image information to reproduce the original image information.

Image memory 104 temporarily stores image information. The modem 105 modulates and demodulates image information and transmits the same, and also transmits various procedure signals for transmission control. The network control device 106 is connected to the extension line of the private branch exchange 2 and performs predetermined line control for making and receiving calls.

The operation display section 107 displays the operating status of the device and is used by the operator to perform various operations. The LAN interface 108 is for image transmission with other facsimile devices via the LAN 5.

The system memory 109 stores information necessary for communication operations in advance. The system control section 110 is a microcomputer that monitors and controls each of the above sections, and the system bus 111 is a signal line through which the above sections exchange various control signals and data between each other.

The facsimile machine 4 is the LA in FIG.
This is a configuration in which the N interface 108 is removed.

With the above configuration, the private branch exchange 2 has the above-mentioned direct in dialing function, and each extension to which the facsimile machine 1 is connected has, for example, ``234--''.
2111", "234-2112"..."234-X
It is assumed that a telephone number "XXX" is assigned.

It is also assumed that the private branch exchange 2 has a function of connecting to another facsimile machine 1 when one facsimile machine 1 of the called telephone number is in communication.

Now, the facsimile device 4 is connected to one of the facsimile devices 1 "234-2" for image transmission.
112".

At this time, the private branch exchange 2 receives a call request from the public telephone network 3, and calls the facsimile machine 1 of "234-2112" if the facsimile machine 1 is not in communication.

On the other hand, when the facsimile machine 1 is in communication, for example, according to a preset priority order,
Call another facsimile machine, for example "234-2111".

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the facsimile machine 1 to receive a call. That is, the facsimile device 1 is
When called from the private branch exchange 2, the call is received (processing 100).
1) Start a known transmission control procedure (process 1002)
.

At this time, in this embodiment, the transmitting side
As shown in the figure, the destination telephone number is set in the NSS signal and notified to the receiving side.

Further, in the system memory 109 of each facsimile machine 1, identification information of the own facsimile machine and other facsimile machines is registered in advance. FIG. 5 shows this identification information, and the "telephone number" is the telephone number of each facsimile machine 1 connected by the LAN 5. "LAN address" is information that identifies a communication destination when transmitting an image via LAN5. "Self-device identification" is flag information indicating which of them the self-device is.

When the facsimile machine 1 receives the NSS signal, it determines whether the destination telephone number has been set (process 1003). If the destination telephone number is set (Y in process 1003), it is determined whether the destination is the own device (process 1004). If it is the own device (Y in process 1004), it receives the image according to a predetermined procedure and records and outputs it as usual (process 1005).

In the present example, the facsimile machine 4 is
34-2112, so when the facsimile machine 1 of that telephone number receives a call, the facsimile machine 1 records and outputs the received image.

On the other hand, if the destination facsimile machine 1 is in communication, another facsimile machine will receive the call. In this way, if the destination phone number is not the own device (
Step 1004 (N), the image is received and the received image is stored in the image memory 104 (Step 1006).

After the receiving operation is completed, the LAN address corresponding to the destination telephone number is determined. Next, the LAN address is sent to the facsimile machine 1 at that LAN address.
5, the received image is transmitted according to a predetermined procedure (processing 1
007).

Therefore, in the above example, "234-211
If facsimile machine 1 of "2" is communicating, "234-
The facsimile machine 1 of ``2111'' receives the image, but the image is automatically transferred to the ``234-2112'' side via the LAN 5.

By the way, when receiving an image from a conventional facsimile machine, the telephone number is not notified by the NSS signal. In this case (N in process 1003), the image is recorded as usual in the same way as above (process 1005).

Next, a case will be described in which the facsimile machine 4 performs broadcast transmission to a plurality of facsimile machines.

When performing this broadcast transmission, the operator inputs each desired destination telephone number, as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the operator does not know that each of the facsimile machines 1 is connected by the LAN 5. Therefore, when transmitting an image to the facsimile machine 1, each telephone number is input one by one. After inputting the destination, a calling operation is started (process 2001).

[0040] The facsimile machine 4 makes a call to the one destination thus input (process 2002).

Assume now that a call is made to one of the facsimile machines 1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the facsimile machine 1 receiving the call, after receiving the call (processing 3001),
Start transmission control procedure. At this time, among the information stored in the system memory 109 shown in FIG. 5, the sending side is notified that the telephone number information of each facsimile machine is set in the NSF signal (processing 3002).

The facsimile machine 4 on the sending side reads the notified telephone number (process 2003) and compares it with other destination telephone numbers set by the operator (process 2004).

If there is no matching telephone number between the two parties (N in process 2004), the destination telephone number that has just been called is set in the NSS signal and notified to the receiving side (process 2005). Also, if there is a match between the notified phone number and another destination phone number (process 2
004 Y), as shown in FIG. 8, the other matching destination telephone number is set in an NSS signal together with the calling telephone number and notified to the other party (process 2006).

[0044] Then, the image is transmitted (process 2007). Thereafter, it is determined that the transmission process has been completed for each destination to which the destination telephone number has been notified (process 2008).

On the other hand, on the facsimile machine 1 side, the NSS
The destination telephone number notified by the signal is read (processing 3003). Then, the transmitted image is received and stored in the image memory 104 (processing 3004).

[0046] When the image reception is completed, it is determined whether or not the telephone number of the own device is indicated in the notified destination telephone number (process 3005). Here, if the telephone number of the own device is indicated (Y in process 3005), the received image is recorded and output (process 3006).

Next, it is determined whether there is another destination telephone number (process 3007). Here, if there is such a designation (Y in process 3007), the received image is transferred to the facsimile machine 1 of each designated destination telephone number via the LAN 5 (process 3008).

On the other hand, when the facsimile device 4 side has finished transmitting the image to one destination, it determines whether there are other destinations (process 2009), and if there are other destinations (Y of process 2009)
), the above operation is repeated (process 2002).

In this case, if the destination facsimile machine is connected to a LAN like facsimile machine 1, it is determined that the transmission to other facsimile machines on the LAN has been processed, so the transmission Processing is omitted. In this way, when transmission to all destinations is completed (process 20
09), the transmission operation ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a facsimile device other than the destination receives an image on the receiving side, that facsimile device automatically transfers the received image to the destination facsimile device via the LAN 5. I try to do that. This makes it possible to quickly and reliably deliver the received image to the recipient.

[0051] In the case of broadcast transmission, if one destination facsimile device is connected to another destination facsimile device via LAN, the image is transferred from that one facsimile device to the other facsimile device. There is.

[0052] This makes it possible to omit the wasteful process of transmitting images one by one to each facsimile machine at the same location, and the communication time is shortened, making it possible to save on communication charges.

Note that the broadcast transmission process described in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be executed even when the facsimile machine 1 is directly connected to the public telephone line network. That is, in this case, the destination facsimile machine always receives the call, so the determination result in process 3005 in FIG. 7 is always "Y".
The received image will then be recorded. Other operations are
It will be exactly the same as the same figure.

[0054]

As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, image transmission means is provided for locally transmitting images between a plurality of facsimile machines, and when a facsimile machine different from the destination facsimile machine receives an image, When received, the received image is automatically transferred to the destination facsimile machine by the image transmission means, so that the transmitted image can be quickly and reliably delivered to the recipient.

[0055] In another invention, similarly to the above, image transmission means for locally transmitting images between a plurality of facsimile machines is provided, and the multicast destination information is received together with the image, and the multicast destination information is indicated by the multicast destination information. for each facsimile machine that is
Since the received image is transferred, when the sending side sends a broadcast to multiple facsimile machines mentioned above, one of them
Since it is only necessary to send an image once, it is possible to save on communication charges during broadcast transmission.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of each facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart of normal reception processing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of information set in an NSS signal.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of identification information stored in advance in each facsimile device.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of broadcast transmission processing.

FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart of reception processing for broadcast transmission.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of each piece of information set in the NSS signal.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 4 Facsimile machine 2 Private branch exchange 3 Public telephone network 5 LAN 101 scanner 102 Plotter 103 Encoding/decoding section 104 Image memory 105 Modem 106 Network control device 107 Operation display section 108 LAN interface 109 System memory 110 System control section

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: Consisting of a private branch exchange connected to a public telephone line network and a plurality of facsimile machines connected to each extension of the private branch exchange, the private branch exchange has one extension designated when receiving a call. In a facsimile communication system that has a function to connect to one extension line and connect to another extension line when that extension line is busy, images can be transmitted between the above multiple facsimile machines locally without using the public telephone line. an image transmitting means for transmitting the image; a destination information receiving means for receiving the destination information of the image when receiving the image via the public telephone line; and a destination information receiving means for receiving the image when the destination information indicates the own device; an image recording means for recording and outputting the image, and an image transfer means for transmitting the received image to the designated facsimile device by the image transmission means when the destination information specifies another facsimile device. A facsimile communication system characterized by: Claim 2: In a facsimile communication system in which a plurality of facsimile machines installed at a certain location are connected to a public telephone line network, the plurality of facsimile machines can locally communicate with each other without using the public telephone line network. an image transmitting means for transmitting an image between the two; a destination information receiving means for receiving broadcast destination information of the image when receiving the image via the public telephone line; and a destination indicated by the broadcast destination information. a facsimile communication system comprising: image transfer means for transferring the image received to one or more facsimile devices by the image transfer means. 3. The facsimile apparatus further comprises identification information notifying means for notifying the sending side of identification information of the plurality of facsimile machines installed when receiving the image, and then receiving the broadcast destination information. The facsimile communication system according to claim 3, characterized in that: