JPH0438066A - Method for controlling facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove restriction to the size of receiving image information by transferring the receiving image information to another facsimile equipment to record/output the receiving image when the terminal in use can not record/ output the receiving image information. CONSTITUTION:A facsimile equipment FXA sends an equipment function request signal ST2 and requests to inform an equipment function to a facsimile equipment FXB. The FXB forms an equipment function informing signal SR2 for informing the equipment function of the terminal in use such as recodable size, a usable coding mode and usable resolution and transfers the signal SR2 to the FXA. The FXA stores the transferred contents. When the size of receiving image information obtained by the receiving operation of image information can not be recorded at equal magnification by the terminal of the FXA in use, the FXA transfers the receiving image information to the FXB through a local area network LAN to allow the FXB to record/output the received original at equal magnification.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application fields] The present invention relates to a method of controlling a facsimile machine.

[Prior Art] Generally, each facsimile machine is connected to one transmission line and each facsimile machine operates independently.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, conventionally, for example, a facsimile machine equipped with a plotter with a recording width of 44 format cannot record image information of A3 format at the same size, and has device functions that the terminal itself is not equipped with. This has caused the inconvenience that image information cannot be transmitted using the .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a facsimile machine that allows use of device functions other than those provided by the own terminal.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention connects a plurality of facsimile machines each having an image storage function via a local area network means, and stores the device functions of other facsimile machines.
When a call is received, the device function, which includes the device functions of all connected facsimile devices, is notified.
If the received image information cannot be recorded and output on the own terminal, a facsimile device that can record and output the received image information is determined based on the stored device functions of other facsimile devices, and the received image information is transferred to that facsimile device. On the other hand, the facsimile device to which received image information is transferred from another facsimile device records and outputs the image of the received image information.

In addition, multiple facsimile machines equipped with an image storage function can be connected via a local area network, and the machine functions of other facsimile machines can be stored. If a failure occurs in the recording means and the received image information cannot be recorded and output on the own terminal, the device function including the device function is notified, and if the received image information cannot be recorded and output on the own terminal, the reception is performed based on the stored device functions of other facsimile devices. The facsimile device that can record and output image information is determined and the received image information is transferred to that facsimile device.The facsimile device to which the received image information has been transferred from another facsimile device records and outputs the image of the received image information. It was designed to do so.

In addition, multiple facsimile machines equipped with an image storage function are connected via local area network means, and image information transmission using the image storage function is set.
If the remaining capacity of the image storage function becomes less than a predetermined value after transmit image information has been accumulated, the newly accumulated transmit image information and the information necessary for the transmission operation are transferred to another facsimile machine, and the image information is transmitted. On the other hand, the facsimile machine that receives a transmission request from another facsimile machine performs the transmission based on the notified information necessary for the transmission operation.

A transmission operation is performed to transmit received transmission image information.

In addition, a facsimile transmitter equipped with a transmission function using a local area network means is connected to a facsimile center apparatus equipped with an image storage function via a local area network means without having a single line connection function, and the facsimile transmitter When a transmission operation is performed, the transmission image information and information necessary for the transmission operation are transferred to the facsimile center device via the local area network means, and when the facsimile center device receives a transmission request from the facsimile transmission device, it notifies the facsimile center device. The transmission operation for transmitting the received transmission image information is performed based on the information necessary for the transmission operation.

[Effects] Therefore, even when receiving image information of a size that cannot be directly recorded and output on the own terminal, if another facsimile device connected via the local area network means can record and output the original of the received image of that size. Since the received image can be recorded and output by transferring the received image to another facsimile device, restrictions on the size of received image information are eliminated.

In addition, if a failure occurs in the plotter of the own terminal, the received image information can be transferred to another facsimile device connected via a local area network means, and the other facsimile device can record and output the received image. Therefore, the received image can be quickly recorded and output.

Also, if image information transmission using the image storage function is set and there is not enough free space in the image storage function,
The image storage function can be effectively used because the transmitted image information accumulated at that time can be transferred to other facsimile devices connected via the local area network means and the other facsimile devices can be requested to send the image information. I can do it.

In addition, since the user can perform sending operations using a facsimile transmitting device connected to the facsimile center device via a local area network means without having to go to the facsimile center device, the usability of the facsimile center device is improved. Become good.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This facsimile system consists of a facsimile device FXA with a plotter recording width of A4 size for recording images, and a facsimile device F with a plotter recording width of A3 size.
FXA and FXB are connected using a point-to-point local area network LAN, and each facsimile machine 1FXA, FXB is
It has a configuration as shown in FIG.

In the figure, a control section 1 performs control processing of each section of the facsimile machine and facsimile transmission control procedure processing, and a system memory 2 contains a control processing program executed by the control section 1.

The parameter memory 3 stores various data necessary for executing the processing program, and constitutes the work area of the control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 stores various information specific to this group 3 facsimile machine. It is for the purpose of

The scanner 4 is for reading original images at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 5 is for recording and outputting images at a predetermined resolution, and the external interface circuit 6 is for exchanging data with other facsimile devices. It is a local area network LAN for communication.
Compose your notes.

The operation display section 7 is used to operate this facsimile machine, and includes various operation keys and various displays.

The encoding/decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the single-picture signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal, and the image storage device 9 encodes and compresses the encoded and compressed image information. This is for storing a large amount of image information in a different state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the group 3 facsimile modem function, and has a low speed modem function (V,
21 modem), and a high-speed modem function (V, 29 modem, V, 27ter) mainly for exchanging image information.
modem).

The network control device 11 is for connecting this facsimile device to the public telephone line network, and is equipped with an automatic call/call function.

These control units 1. System memory 2. Parameter memory 3, scanner 4, plotter 5. The external interface circuit 6, the operation display section 7, the encoding/decoding section 8, the image storage device 9, the group 3 facsimile modem 10, and the network control device 11 are connected to the system path 12,
Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via this system path 12.

Further, data is exchanged directly between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10.

In this case, the recording width of the plotter 5 and the storage capacity of the image storage device 9 are both set larger in the facsimile device FXB.

With the above configuration, when the power is turned on and the system is started up, the facsimile machine FXA uses the external interface circuit 6 to execute the procedure shown in FIG. 3(a) via the local area network LAN, Obtain device function information of facsimile device FXB.

That is, first, the facsimile [FXA] sends out a connection request signal STI requesting connection using the local area network LAN, and
When XB receives this connection request signal ST1, it activates a data transmission function using the local area network L'AN and sends out a connection completion signal SRI.

This allows facsimile equipment! FXA sends a device function request signal Sτ2 (see FIG. 4(a)) to request facsimile device FXB to notify the device function. Note that here, the first information element of the procedure signal is
This is code data for identifying the procedure signal.

The facsimile device 1FXB sends a device function request signal ST2.
As shown in FIG. 4(b), a device function notification signal SR2 is generated to notify the device functions of the own terminal, such as recordable size, usable encoding mode, and usable resolution. , and transfer it to facsimile machine FXA.

When the facsimile machine FXA receives the device function notification signal SR2 from the facsimile machine FXB, it stores its contents, sends out a disconnection request signal ST3, and ends the transmission operation using the local area network LAN.

Upon receiving the disconnection request signal ST3, the facsimile machine FXB ends the transmission operation using the local area network LAN.

In this way, the facsimile device i! After acquiring the device function of FXB, the facsimile family MFXA sends a digital identification signal DIS and a non-standard function identification signal N to the calling terminal in order to notify the device function of its own terminal at the time of incoming call inspection.
Information including the device functions of the own terminal and the device functions of the facsimile machine fFXB is set in each information field of the SF.

Therefore, from now on, facsimile equipment! In FXA, the size of the received image information obtained by performing the image information receiving operation may be a size that cannot be recorded at the same size on the own terminal, such as 84 format or 43 format. In this case, the local area Using the network LAN, the procedure shown in FIG. 3(b) is executed, the received image information is transferred to the facsimile machine FXB, and the facsimile machine 1FXB is made to record and output the received original at the same size. Note that in this case, the number of pages of received image information is two.

That is, first, a connection request signal STI is sent to request a connection, and then a connection completion signal SR is sent from the facsimile machine 1FXB.
When I is sent and a communication path in the local area network LAN is established, as shown in FIG. 3(c),
A received file recording request signal ST4 containing display information such as the size, number of pages, encoding mode, and resolution of the received image information and requesting recording of the received image information is transmitted to the facsimile machine FXB.

If the image recording operation of the received image information is executable, facsimile device FXB responds to facsimile device FXA with an acceptance response signal SR3 acknowledging acceptance of the file transfer.

This allows facsimile equipment! FXA transfers the received image information PIXI of the first page to the facsimile machine FXB, and sends out a transfer continuation request signal ST5 indicating that there is image information of a blown page.

The facsimile machine FXB sequentially stores the received image information PIXI in the image storage device 9, and when the receiving operation is finished,
A reception completion response signal SR4 is sent.

The facsimile machine FXA receives the received image information P on the second page.
IX2 is transferred to facsimile machine FXB, and a transfer end signal ST6 is sent to indicate that there is no subsequent page.

The facsimile machine FXB receives the received image information P on the second page.
IX2 is sequentially stored in the image storage device 9, and when the reception operation is completed, a reception completion response signal SR4 is sent out.

Since the facsimile machine FXA has completed the transfer of the received image information, it sends out a disconnection request signal ST3 and ends the transmission operation of the local area network LAN.

Furthermore, the facsimile machine FXB sends a disconnection request signal ST3.
When the received image information is received, the transmission operation of the local area network LAN is terminated, the received image information stored in the image storage device 9 is decoded into the original image signal by the encoding/decoding unit 8, and the resulting image signal is transmitted to the plotter 5. The received original image of two pages is recorded and outputted from the plotter 5.

In this way, when facsimile device FXA receives image information of a large size that cannot be recorded at the same size on its own terminal, the received image information is transferred to facsimile device fFXA.
Transfer the received image to facsimile group M FX.
It is possible to record at the same size as B.

On the other hand, facsimile machine I! If the facsimile device FXB cannot perform the requested received file recording operation when receiving the received file recording request signal ST4 from FXA, the facsimile device FXB sends an unacceptable response signal as shown in FIG. 3(C). SR5 is sent, and the transmission operation of the local area network LAN is completed.

In this case, when the facsimile machine FXA receives the unreceivable response signal SR5, the facsimile machine FXA ends the transmission operation on the local area network LAN, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the facsimile machine FXA repeats the same request operation to the facsimile machine. Perform this for device FXB. To re-execute this requested operation, use the facsimile machine! This process continues until FXB accepts the requested operation.

However, the facsimile machine FXA makes requests to the facsimile machine FXB at fixed time intervals, and even when this state continues, normal transmission and reception operations using the telephone line are performed.

On the other hand, when the operator of facsimile machine FXA performs a sending operation in memory transmission mode, facsimile machine FXA
At that time, the image of the transmission document set on the scanner 4 is read, the image signal obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding/decoding section 8, and the image information obtained thereby is sent to the image storage device 9. After storing the image information, a call is made to the designated destination and the stored image information is sent.

At this time, if the free space of the image storage device 9 becomes smaller than the predetermined value, the procedure similar to that shown in FIG. 2(b) is performed.
Facsimile machine E transfers the transmission image information stored at that time in FXB via the local area network LAN, and performs the specified memory transmission operation on facsimile machine F.
Let XH take over.

In this case, the facsimile device FXA sends a message containing the size, number of pages, encoding mode, resolution, and destination information of the transmitted image information, as shown in FIG. 3(d), instead of the received file recording request signal ST4. File transfer request signal S
T4' is sent to the facsimile machine [FXB.

If the facsimile group [FXB is able to execute the image information transmission, it responds with an acceptance response signal SR3, thereby causing facsimile device 1FXA and facsimile device F
The XB transfers the transmission image information using the same procedure as shown in FIG. 2(b). Then, the facsimile device FXA deletes the transmission image information transferred to the facsimile device FXB from the image storage device i9, thereby increasing the free capacity of the image storage device 9.

In this way, facsimile machine FXB receives transmission image information from facsimile machine 1FXA.

Call the specified destination and send the received transmission image information.

In this way, when the free space of the image storage device 9 of the facsimile group fiFXA becomes low, the stored transmission image information is transferred to the facsimile device FXB, and the transmission operation of the transmission image information is performed by the facsimile device FXB. Since there is a facsimile family [FXA is an image storage device 9
can be used effectively.

FIG. 5 shows an example of processing in the standby state of the facsimile machine FXA.

In this standby state, the facsimile machine FXA determines whether the operator has started a transmission operation or detected an incoming call.
Alternatively, it monitors whether the transfer interval timing to the facsimile machine FXB matches (determination 101).
, 102, 103 No loops).

When the sending operation is started and the result of judgment 101 is YES, the sending operation process shown in FIG. 6 is performed, and when an incoming call is detected and the result of judgment 102 is YES, the receiving operation process shown in FIG. 7 is performed. conduct.

In addition, judgment 10 is made in accordance with the transfer interval timing.
If the result of step 3 is YES, check whether a request to transfer a received file or a sent file to the facsimile machine FXB is set at that time (
Judgment 104) When the result of judgment 104 is YES, the file transfer operation shown in FIG. 8 is performed. Further, when the result of determination 104 is NO, the process returns to the standby state.

In this way, each time the transfer interval timing coincides, it is checked whether a request to transfer the image information file to the facsimile device FXB is set, and if a transfer request is set, the image information file is transferred to the facsimile device FXB. Execute the process to transfer to.

In the transmission operation process shown in FIG. 6, first, the content of the transmission operation performed by the operator on the operation display section 7 is memorized before the operator turns on the start key (as shown) and starts transmission. (No loop of process 201 and judgment 202), the start key is turned on and the result of judgment 202 is Y.
When ES is reached, it is checked whether the memory transmission mode was specified at that time (determination 203).

When the memory transmission mode is specified and the result of judgment 203 is YES, the image of the transmission document set on the scanner 4 at that time is read, and the image signal obtained thereby is sent to the encoding/decoding section 8. The resulting image information is encoded and compressed and stored in the image storage device 9 (processing 20
4) At this time, a job file (as shown) consisting of the transmission destination, setting information of the specified transmission function, etc. is also created and stored in the parameter memory 3.

Next, it is checked whether the number of files stored in the image storage device 9 at that time is larger than a predetermined value KA (judgment '
205), when the result of the judgment 205 is NO, the designated destination is called (process 206), and the pre-transmission procedure is executed with the destination terminal that responded to the incoming call to negotiate the transmission function (process 207); Image accumulation group! After transmitting the image information accumulated in 9 to the destination terminal (process 208), a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 209), and the line is restored (process 210).

Further, when the result of the judgment 205 is YES, a transfer request is set to transfer the image information file stored in the image storage device 9 at that time to the facsimile device FXB (process 211), and this process ends. .

On the other hand, if memory transmission is not specified and the result of the 5th judgment 203 is NO, the specified destination is called (212), the pre-transmission procedure is executed with the destination terminal that responded to the incoming call, and the transmission function is negotiated. (process 213), reads the transmission original set on the scanner 4, and transmits the transmission image information formed in the same manner as described above to the destination terminal (process 214), and then executes a predetermined post-transmission procedure. (Processing 2
15) The process moves to process 120 and the line is restored.

In this way, if memory transmission is specified, −
The transmitted image information is then stored in the image storage device 9.

If the number of image information files stored in the image storage group W9 at that time exceeds a predetermined value, a request is made to transfer the image information file to the facsimile machine FXB.

In the receiving operation process shown in FIG. 7, first, the called station responds with a called station identification signal CED to indicate that the own terminal is a non-voice terminal (process 301), and then performs the standard transmission function of the own terminal. A digital identification signal DIS and a non-standard function identification signal NSF are sent for notification (process 302). At this time, the contents of the transmission function to be notified to the calling party are set to include the device functions provided in the own terminal and the device functions constituted by the facsimile machine FXB.

Next, a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed with the other terminal to negotiate the transmission function (process 303), and it is determined whether the paper size specified at that time is one that can be recorded by the own terminal. (Judgment 304).

When the result of the judgment 304 is YES, the received image information is decoded into the original image signal by the encoding/decoding unit 8, and the image signals obtained thereby are sequentially transferred to the plotter 5, and the received image is recorded and output. (processing 305).

When the reception of the image information is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 306), the line is restored (process 307), and the series of image information reception operations is completed.

On the other hand, if the specified paper size cannot be recorded on the own terminal and the result of judgment 304 is No, in this case, the received image is The information is temporarily stored in the image storage device 9 (process 308).

When the reception of the image information is finished, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 309), and then process 3 is performed to restore the line.
10) A file transfer request for transferring the image information received at that time to the facsimile device 1FXB is set (process 311), and this receiving operation is ended.

In this way, the device functions of the own terminal are notified, including the device functions of the facsimile machine FXB, so that the calling facsimile machine can specify a paper size that is too large to be recorded on the own terminal. In this case, the received image information is temporarily stored in the image storage device 9, and
The accumulated received image information is transferred to the facsimile machine FXB.

In the transfer request process shown in FIG. 8, after starting up the external interface circuit 6, the facsimile machine FX
When the connection request signal STI is sent to the facsimile machine FXB (processing 401) and the connection completion signal SR1 is received as a response from the facsimile machine FXB (processing 402), the image information file requested to be transferred at that time is transferred to the transmission image. In the case of information, the above-mentioned sending file transfer request signal ST4' is sent, and in the case of receiving image information, the above-mentioned receiving file recording request signal ST4 is sent, and the contents of the transfer request at that time are sent by facsimile. Notify device FXB (process 403
).

Then, it is determined whether the signal responded from the facsimile machine FXB is the response signal SR4 (
Judgment 404).

When the result of the judgment 404 is YES, the above-mentioned file transfer procedure is executed to transfer the image information file requested to be transferred at that time to the facsimile machine FXB (405), and when the transfer is completed, the disconnection is performed. The request signal ST3 is sent (process 406), the transfer request that has been transferred is reset (process 407), and this process ends.

Further, when the result of judgment 408 is NO, it is checked whether the signal received at that time is the device function notification signal SR2 (judgment 408), and the result of judgment 408 is YES.
When this happens, the content of the device function notification signal SR2 is saved as the device function of the facsimile group@FXB (process 409), and the process moves to process 406 to end the data transmission operation using the local area network LAN.

Furthermore, when the result of the judgment 408 is NO, this means that the reception not accepted response signal SR5 has been received, and this process is immediately terminated.

In this way, when a file transfer request is set in the above-mentioned sending operation processing or receiving operation processing, the transfer operation is transferred to the facsimile device 1FXB.
If the facsimile machine FXB is able to accept the transfer, the file requested to be transferred is sent to the facsimile machine i.
Transferring to FXB.

Also, in a state where facsimile group [FXB] cannot be accepted, the current file transfer operation is interrupted and the process waits until the next transfer interval.

FIG. 9 shows an example of processing executed by facsimile machine FXB when receiving a file transfer from facsimile machine FXA via local area network LAN.

Upon receiving the connection request signal STI from the facsimile machine FxA, first, the connection completion signal SRI is processed 50 in response.
1) Analyzes the contents of the business notified from the facsimile machine FXA (processing 502).

If the task at that time is a file transfer request (decision 5)
03 result is YES), it is determined whether the specified operation is executable at that time, and if it is executable (result of determination 504 is YES), an acceptance response signal SR3 is sent.
(processing 506), and receives the image information file according to the procedure described above and stores it in the image storage device M9 (processing 5
07).

When the reception of this image information file is completed, a job file for executing the operation specified at that time is created (process 508), and the facsimile device 1iFX
Upon receiving the disconnection request signal ST3 from A (process 509)
, terminate this operation.

Further, the request from the facsimile machine FXA is not a file transfer request but a device function transfer request, and judgment 503
When the result is No, the device function information of the own terminal is set in the device function notification signal SR2 and transferred to the facsimile device FXA (step 51O), and the process moves to step 509 to start data transmission with the facsimile device FXA. finish.

Further, when a file transfer request is received and the specified task cannot be executed at that time and the result of judgment 504 is No, it sends an unacceptable response signal SR5 (processing 511) and sends the request to the facsimile machine. 1 End data transmission with FXA.

In this way, when image information is received from the facsimile machine FXA, the designated operation is executed based on the job file created at that time.

As described above, in this embodiment, a facsimile machine! FX
Since the device function of A can be substituted by the facsimile device FXB, the load on the facsimile device FXA is reduced, and the receiving function of the facsimile device FXA can be improved to the same level as that of the facsimile device FXB.

By the way, when a single facsimile machine is shared by a large number of people, those who are seated or in a room far from the facsimile machine installation location have to travel a long distance when transmitting image information using the facsimile machine. Therefore, it is inconvenient.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image information file is transferred from the facsimile device FXA to the facsimile device FXB is explained, but the facsimile device FXB transfers the image information file to the facsimile device FXA, and the image information file is transferred to the facsimile device 1FXA. It is also possible to have the device function of FXB performed on behalf of the FXB.

FIG. 10 shows a facsimile system according to another embodiment of the present invention that eliminates such inconvenience.

This facsimile system consists of a center device FXC consisting of a facsimile device with the same device functions as shown in Fig. 2, and a facsimile device with only a sending function! It is configured by connecting F and XD via a local area network LAN.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the facsimile machine [FXD is equipped with only an external interface circuit 6 as a transmission means and is equipped with a center unit! ! It is configured so that only data transmission using a local area network LAN is possible with the FXC.

Here, in FIG. 11, the same parts and corresponding parts as in FIG. It is for.

When the operator performs a transmission operation, the facsimile machine FXC makes a connection request to the center device 1FXC using the local area network LAN, notifies the center device 1FXC that a file transfer will be performed, and sends a request to the center device 1FXC using the local area network LAN. If your file transfer request is accepted,
The image of the transmission document set in the scanner 4 is read, the image signal obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding unit 13, and the image information obtained thereby is transferred to the center device FXC via the external interface circuit Is6. do.

Therefore, the facsimile device FXD is replaced by the center device F.
If the facsimile machine is installed away from the center device FXC, the distance that an operator who is located far from the center device FXC has to travel when transmitting image information is shortened, so that the facsimile machine becomes easier to use.

In the above description, only the parts directly related to the present invention are described, and the description of other parts is omitted.

Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which two facsimile machines are interconnected through a local area network, but three or more facsimile machines can also be connected to a local area network.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention was applied to a facsimile machine connected to an analog line network.
The present invention can be similarly applied to facsimile machines connected to digital networks such as N.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when the own terminal cannot record and output, the received image information is transferred to another facsimile machine and the received image is recorded and output. Restrictions on the size of received image information are eliminated, and even if a failure occurs in the plotter of the own terminal, the received images can be quickly recorded and output.

Also, if image information transmission using the image storage function is set and there is not enough free space in the image storage function,
Since the transmission image information accumulated at that time can be transferred to another facsimile machine and a request for image information transmission can be made, the image accumulation function can be used effectively.

Furthermore, since the user can perform the sending operation without having to go to the facsimile center device, various effects such as improved usability of the facsimile center device can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
4(a) to 4(c) are time charts showing an example of a transmission procedure in a local area network, FIG. 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a signal format of a device function request signal, and FIG. 4(b)
is a schematic diagram showing an example of the signal format of the device function notification signal, (c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the signal format of the received file recording request signal, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the signal format of the transmitted file transfer request signal. A schematic diagram showing an example; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the standby state of the facsimile machine FXA;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when facsimile device FXA transmits, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when facsimile device FXA receives, and FIG. 8 shows data performed by facsimile device FXA using a local area network. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a data transmission procedure performed by facsimile machine FXB using a local area network; FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a facsimile system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is the 10th
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a facsimile machine in the illustrated embodiment. 1 to 1 Figure 2 (a) (b) (c) Figure (file)

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of facsimile devices equipped with an image storage function are connected via a local area network, and the device functions of other facsimile devices are stored, and when a call is received, all the facsimile devices connected as a device function are connected. A facsimile machine that notifies the device functions including the device functions of the facsimile device, and is capable of recording and outputting the received image information based on the stored device functions of other facsimile devices if the received image information cannot be recorded and output on the own terminal. determine the device,
A method for controlling a facsimile device, wherein received image information is transferred to the facsimile device, and the facsimile device to which received image information is transferred from another facsimile device records and outputs an image of the received image information. (2) A plurality of facsimile devices equipped with an image storage function are connected via a local area network, and the device functions of other facsimile devices are stored, and when a call is received, all the facsimile devices connected as a device function are connected. If there is a failure in the recording means and the received image information cannot be recorded and output on the own terminal, the device function is notified based on the stored device functions of other facsimile devices. A facsimile device capable of recording and outputting received image information is determined and the received image information is transferred to that facsimile device, while the facsimile device to which received image information has been transferred from another facsimile device records the image of that received image information. A method for controlling a facsimile machine, characterized in that it outputs data. (3) A plurality of facsimile machines equipped with an image storage function are connected via a local area network means, and image information transmission using the image storage function is set;
If the remaining capacity of the image storage function becomes less than a predetermined value after transmit image information has been accumulated, the newly accumulated transmit image information and the information necessary for the transmission operation are transferred to another facsimile machine, and the image information is transmitted. The facsimile apparatus is characterized in that the facsimile apparatus that receives a transmission request from another facsimile apparatus performs a transmission operation of transmitting received transmission image information based on the notified information necessary for the transmission operation. Control method. (4) A facsimile transmission device equipped with a transmission function using a local area network means without a line connection function is connected to a facsimile center device equipped with an image storage function via a local area network means, and the facsimile transmission device When a transmission operation is performed, the transmission image information and the information necessary for the transmission operation are transferred to the facsimile center device via the local area network means, and when the facsimile center device receives a transmission request from the facsimile transmission device, A method of controlling a facsimile apparatus, comprising performing a transmission operation of transmitting received transmission image information based on notified information necessary for the transmission operation.