JPH0837551A - Data communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select speech service, with which a call tariff can b most economized, out of the speech services of respective entrepreneurs provided with the speech services of tariff discounts. CONSTITUTION:This equipment is provided with a storage means 309 for storing the provision conditions and tariff system of each speech service and the accumulated utilization result of constant discount speech service among the speech services for a relevant period and a speech service selecting means 307 for selecting the speech service to most economize the call tariff by utilizing these stored data. Concerning this equipment, the speech service of the least predictive call tariff is automatically selected out of the respective speech services including the speech service of tariff discounting to change a charging system corresponding to the quantity of speech, and data are transmitted. Besides, since the storage means 309 stores a standard speech constant and the latest speech result for each destination, the speech service is selected corresponding to the transmission destination with no result or the transmission destination provided with the speech result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device including a facsimile device, a telephone and the like, and more particularly, to various call services provided by each telecommunications carrier in order to save call charges. It is made to be selectable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to the liberalization of communications in the past few years, the qualification of a first-class telecommunications carrier has been granted to multiple carriers, and more telephone service has been provided to each carrier competing to acquire users. ing. These new business operators (hereinafter referred to as NCCs) are classified into long-distance system and regional system according to their service form. To use these NCCs,
In the regional system, it is necessary to make a dedicated line contract and perform the wiring work inside the house, but in the long-distance system it is not necessary to do the house work, but it is not necessary to do the house work. You can use it by simply dialing the number indicating the carrier in front of the area code.

Also, as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-206766, a call charge table for each telecommunications carrier from its own terminal to the other party's station number is provided, and the cheapest line route is obtained from this table at the start of communication. A data communication device that automatically dials the route has also been devised.

Further, in recent years, each business operator provides various call services in which the call charge is discounted when a fixed amount is paid monthly. For these services, you can pay a fixed rate to reduce the call charges at a fixed rate from the call charges calculated from the call charges of the normal call service before discount (hereinafter referred to as normal call charges). Flat-rate discount calling service that allows you to make calls without additional charges until you pay the normal call charges when you pay the service or flat-rate call charges, or if you pay the flat-rate call charges, no additional charges until the call time reaches the specified time There are different types of flat-rate discount calling services that allow you to make calls with.

The total of the charges for a call including the monthly basic charge, the flat-rate charge and the flat-rate call charge will be referred to as the total call charge. FIG. 18 shows the classification of the charge system of the charge discount call service.

[0006] The conditions for providing each call service differ depending on the call distance, call time zone, limited area calls provided by the regional NCC, etc., and there are multiple charging methods for exceeding the specified amount. It is not possible to make a general decision as to whether the discounted call service is advantageous. Figure 1 for reference
9 and FIG. 20 show call charge images of the fixed-rate discount call service and the fixed-rate discount call service, respectively. The horizontal axis of the drawing is a calculation standard for obtaining the total call charge, and there are cases where this becomes a call charge, a case where the call time is reached, and a case where these are switched halfway.

Further, in the case of a data communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus which can know the data transmission amount before transmission as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-289027, the call time is calculated from the data transmission amount and the cost is lowest. A method of selecting a line route has also been devised. In this method, the capabilities such as the transmission speed and the compression method in the data communication device of each destination are set as the destination information, and the predicted call time is calculated from the transmission data amount and the capability of the data communication device of the destination.

[0008] Further, conventionally, in the call service of the old company, discounts according to date and time (hereinafter referred to as date and time discount) such as midnight and night discounts, weekends and holidays discounts, etc. are provided, but these discounts are NCC call services. Has been adopted by many.

Further, conventionally, a facsimile apparatus having a designated time transmission function for accumulating facsimile data and communicating with a designated telephone number at a designated time has been put into practical use. In this type of device, a facsimile device having a broadcasting function, which utilizes the facsimile data storage function to sequentially transmit the same contents to a plurality of destinations (as a result, is delivered to a plurality of destinations almost simultaneously), is also produced. Has been.

Further, in such a model, it is possible to accommodate a plurality of lines, but in a conventional facsimile apparatus which accommodates a plurality of lines, the lines are fixedly allocated for incoming and outgoing, or the lines are allocated. It is used for both incoming and outgoing calls.

[0011]

However, the conventional data communication device has the following problems in selecting a line path that enables the saving of the call charge.

[0012] First, the conventional apparatus that automatically selects the cheapest line route and automatically dials does not have a call service such as a charge discount call service or a regional NCC as an option. And the normal call service provided by the long-distance NCC can only be selected.

Secondly, in the configuration in which the capacity of the data communication device or the capacity of the line for each destination is set in advance as the destination information in order to calculate the predicted call time, not only is it troublesome and costly to set. It is extremely difficult to know the capabilities of all destinations.

Thirdly, in the conventional facsimile apparatus having the designated time transmission function, it is possible to use the midnight discount to transmit at night in order to save the call charge, but the transmission is manually started. Since the time is entered, the labor cost is high. In addition, the call charge may not be the same as that during daytime transmission depending on the destination and the amount of data to be transmitted, so it cannot be said that midnight transmission is generally advantageous.

[0015] Fourth, since the call discount service is a system that pays a flat fee or a flat call fee every month, if you subscribe more than necessary, you will be burdened with a flat fee rather than the savings effect of the discount. growing.

Fifth, in a facsimile machine having a plurality of communication lines and having a broadcast function, when a line control method is used in which a plurality of lines are used for both outgoing and incoming calls, when a broadcast with a large number of destinations is transmitted. , All lines are used for outgoing calls, making incoming calls difficult. On the other hand, in the case of adopting the line control method in which outgoing and incoming calls are fixedly assigned, only the assigned line can be used for outgoing calls, so that it takes a longer time to complete the broadcast transmission than the former method.

The present invention aims to solve such a conventional problem, and in order to solve the first problem, it saves the most call charges from the call services of each business operator including the call service with a discounted rate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data communication device capable of selecting an available call service.

Further, in order to solve the second problem, it is possible to provide a data communication device capable of calculating a predicted call time without setting the capability of the data communication device or the line capacity for each destination in advance. It is an object.

Further, in order to solve the third problem, to provide a data communication device having a function of automatically starting transmission at a time when the call charge can be most saved by simply inputting a destination and transmission data. It is an object.

Further, in order to solve the fourth problem, a data communication device is provided which can notify the combination of call services that can save the most monthly communication cost and give the user an opportunity to review the contract content. The purpose is to do.

Further, in order to solve the fifth problem, there is provided a data communication device for performing line control, which does not take time to complete transmission such as broadcast transmission and can prevent incoming calls from becoming busy. It is intended to be provided.

[0022]

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a data communication device for transmitting data using a selected call service, the provision conditions and charge system of each call service and a fixed amount discount in the call service are provided. Provided are storage means for storing a cumulative total of usage results of call services for the current period, and call service selecting means for selecting a call service with the lowest call charge saving from the call services by using the data stored in the storage means. .

Further, by using the storage means for storing the provision conditions and charge system of each call service, the standard call constant and the latest call record for each destination, and using the standard call constant for the data destination having no call record, Calculating the estimated call time using the latest call record for the data destination with a call record, and using the calculated estimated call time and the data stored in the storage means, the call charge is the highest among the call services. A call service selecting means for selecting a call service that can be saved is provided.

[0024] Further, the storage means for storing the provision conditions and charge system of each call service, the storage means for storing the data to be transmitted, and the transmission command of the accumulated data when the designated time is reached are output. A time notification means and a call service selection means for selecting a call service and a call start time that can save the most call charge by using the data stored in the storage means and designating the call start time as the time notification means are provided. ing.

Further, by using the storage means for storing the provision conditions and charge system of each call service and the call record, and the data stored in the storage means, the call recorded in the call record is carried out at the lowest call charge. A call service selecting means for selecting a possible combination of call services and a presenting means for presenting a result selected by the call service selecting means are provided.

Further, in a data communication apparatus having a plurality of lines having the same incoming call number and capable of both outgoing and incoming calls, a storage means for storing transmission data and the number of outgoing and incoming lines permitted is a prescribed number of lines. Communication that starts transmission of transmission data when there are more lines and delays transmission of transmission data until the number of lines that can be sent and received is less than the specified number when the number of lines that can be sent and received is less than the specified number of lines And means are provided.

[0027]

[Function] Therefore, it is possible to automatically select the call service with the lowest estimated call charge from various call services including the charge discount call service in which the billing system changes depending on the call volume, and transmit the data. it can.

Further, in the device for storing the standard call constant and the latest call record for each destination, the standard call constant is used as a parameter for the partner who has no call record and whose transmission / reception capability parameter is unknown. Predict call time,
Calculate the estimated call charges. In addition, for the other party who has a call experience, the call duration recorded at the time of the latest call is used to predict the call time and calculate the estimated call charge. Therefore, it is possible to select the optimum call service without knowing the capability of the partner device in advance.

Further, in the device having the time notification means, it is possible to automatically transmit the accumulated data by selecting the time zone with the lowest call charge.

Further, in the device for recording the past call record and presenting the optimum combination of the call services based on the record, what kind (one or more) of the past call records is
If you have a contract with a call service, calculate whether the call charge was the lowest and propose the optimal combination of call services to users.

Further, in a data device accommodating a plurality of lines, it is judged at the time of a call origination whether the number of lines that can be transmitted is less than or equal to the specified number of lines, and if it is less than the specified number of lines, the transmission is temporarily delayed , It is possible to reduce the probability of being busy for incoming calls from other places. On the other hand, in the case of broadcast transmission, it takes more time to complete the transmission than in the case of line control in which the outgoing and incoming lines are fixedly assigned. Can be shortened.

[0032]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 2, the data communication apparatus of the first embodiment includes a communication line 103 connecting the data communication apparatuses 101 and 102, and another data communication apparatus through the communication line 103.
A communication device 104 that transmits and receives data to and from 102, a call service selection device 105 that selects an optimum call service based on a destination telephone number, a call record acquisition device 106 that records call record data for each call, and a call. It is provided with a data storage device 107 for storing various data such as accumulated data of achievements and a charge system for each call service, a control device 108 for controlling each device, and a bus 109 for control and data.

The data storage device 107 is a fixed amount discount that changes the charging method depending on the data indicating the standard call time in one call, the data of all the call results, the provision conditions and charge system of each call service, and the call volume. It stores the data for the fixed-rate discount calls for the current period, which records the total number of calls made by the calling service for the current period.

The call service selection device 105 of this data communication device preferentially selects the fixed-rate discount call service in selecting the call service. This is because the flat-rate discount call service pays a flat-rate call charge whether or not the call is used up to the specified amount, so using the specified amount by the end of the call service will reduce call charges. Is desirable.

Therefore, this data communication apparatus executes the operation in the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The data communication device 101 which has received the transmission request
Under the control of the control device 107, passes the telephone number of the communication destination to the call service selection device 105.

Step 1101: Call service selection device 105
Extracts the available normal call service and charge discount call service from the long-distance telephone number of the delivered telephone number, the current date and time, and the fixed-rate discount call cumulative period.

Step 1102: Flat-rate discount calling service is included in the extracted rate-discounted calling services (excluding fixed-rate discount calling services for which the cumulative amount of fixed-rate discount calls for the current period exceeds a prescribed amount (limit value) and fixed-rate discounts are no longer applied) If there is, and if not, step 1103: For all the extracted normal call service and charge discount call service, the estimated call charge is calculated as a call for standard call time.

Step 1104: In step 1102, if there is a fixed-rate discount calling service among the extracted discounted discount calling services, it is assumed that only all of the extracted fixed-rate discount calling services are to be used for standard call durations To calculate.

Step 1105: The cheapest one is selected as the call service from the thus calculated estimated call charges, and Step 1106: The communication result acquisition device 106 is notified of the destination telephone number and the selected call service type.

Step 1107: When the selected call service provider is a long-distance NCC, Step 1108: Adds a number indicating the operator to the beginning of the destination telephone number, and Step 1109: This destination The communication device 104 is notified of the telephone number (the telephone number as it is in the case other than the long-distance NCC) and the line number (port number) of the selected call service.

In response to this, the communication device 104 makes a call from the notified line number (port number) to the notified destination telephone number, and when the communication ends, the call record acquisition device 106.
To the destination telephone number, the communication start time, and the call time. The call record acquisition device 106 is a call service selection device 105.
Destination telephone number and call service type notified from,
The destination telephone number, the communication start time, and the call time notified from the communication device 104 are merged with the destination telephone number as a key, the normal call charge is calculated, and those data are stored in the data storage device.
Record in all 107 call records. In addition, if the call service type is a flat-rate discount call service, this call is added to the flat-rate discount current cumulative period.

The above is the description of the operation of the present embodiment. In addition, in the cumulative amount of fixed-rate discounts for the current period, it is necessary to clear the accumulated call time or accumulated normal call charge of the corresponding fixed-rate discount service at the start of the calculation period of each fixed-rate call service. Whether to accumulate cumulative call time or cumulative normal call charge as the cumulative total for the current period depends on whether the specified amount (limit value) for using the fixed-rate discount call service is the cumulative call time system or the cumulative call charge system.

Next, the method of extracting available call services and the method of calculating the estimated call charge for each call service will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is an area code correspondence table for knowing the call distance type and the service provider from the area code of the destination telephone number, and FIG. 11 is a charge table of the normal call charges of each operator. FIG. 12 shows the conditions for providing the charge discount call service and the charge system table, and FIG. 13 shows the data communication device 10.
FIG. 14 is a subscription contract status table showing the subscription contract status of the communication line connected to FIG. 3, FIG. 14 is a flat-rate discount current period cumulative total showing the usage record of the flat-rate discount calling service in the current period, and FIG. , The call start time of each call, the destination area phone number, the call time, the call service identification, and the actual value of the normal call charge are recorded. In addition, FIG. 10, FIG.
12 and 13 are examples of "providing conditions and charge system of each call service", and these data are shown in FIG.
The data is stored in the data storage device 107 together with the data of (fixed amount discount current period total) and FIG.

First, available call services are extracted as follows.

Using the long distance telephone number of the destination telephone number, the call distance type and the service provider are obtained from the long distance number correspondence table of FIG. Among the obtained service providers, the companies that have a subscription contract are obtained from the subscription status table of FIG. When the contract for the discounted call service is not made with the obtained operator, the normal call service of the operator is available. In addition, with a business operator that has a subscription contract for the charge discount call service, the call distance type and the current call time zone in the corresponding discount service type in the discount charge call service charge table of FIG. If it matches, the charge discount call service becomes a call service that can be used, and if it does not match, the normal call service of the operator becomes a call service that can be used.

For example, FIGS. 10, 12, 13 and 1
By tracing the data of No. 4 for each destination long-distance telephone number, it is possible to obtain the relationship of "available call service for long-distance telephone number" shown in FIG. It should be noted that each time the telephone number of the communication destination is input, the number shown in FIGS.
Also, instead of extracting available call services from the data of FIG. 14, a configuration in which the relationship table of FIG. 16 is prepared in advance can be considered.

As described above, the normal call service and the charge discount call service that are currently available can be extracted.

Next, the estimated call charge of each call service is calculated as follows. Regarding the normal call charge which is the call charge of the normal call service, the call seconds of the applicable call distance type of each service provider are obtained from the normal call charge table of FIG. 11, and the preset standard call time is set to this call second. Divide by the number,
Round off the number after the decimal point and multiply by the unit price.

Further, regarding the charge discount call service,
It is calculated by using the formula of the predicted call charge in the charge discount call service charge system table of FIG. However, with regard to the flat-rate call discount service, the call actual value of the corresponding service is obtained from the flat-rate discount current period accumulated in FIG.
The formula of the expected call charge to be applied is determined by comparing with the prescribed amount and the additional prescribed amount defined in 2 (b). When the specified amount or the additional specified amount is exceeded due to the call during the standard call time, the call charges for the part that does not exceed and the part that exceeds the specified amount are calculated separately, and the estimated call charges are calculated by summing. Regarding the flat-rate discount call service, the total expected call charge and the total call charge actually paid do not necessarily match, because it is a billing system that pays the flat-rate call charge without using the specified amount.

The estimated call charge is calculated by the above method. In addition, in the case of regional NCC, you have to pay the monthly basic charge separately, but considering that this amount is part of the flat-rate call charge, you may add it to the flat-rate call charge to obtain the estimated call charge. Conceivable.

Further, in the flat-rate discount call service, the flat-rate call charge is paid whether or not the call is used up to the specified amount, so it is necessary to use up the specified amount by the end of the call service in order to reduce the call charge. Desirable for. Therefore, in the above procedure, the fixed-rate discount call service is given priority to use up to the specified amount, but the best way to select one of the fixed-rate discount call services is to use the fixed-rate call that comes at the earliest end of the period. A method of selecting a discount call service can also be considered. By doing so, at the end of each fixed-price discount call service, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a call service in which the usage amount significantly falls below the specified amount.

If the call frequency is relatively high and average calls are made almost every day, the call volume up to the end of the period is predicted from the past call records, and the fixed-rate discount call service is available by the end of the current period. It is not always necessary to use the flat-rate discount calling service in advance when it is expected to reach, so seek the estimated calling charges for all available calling services and select the cheapest calling service from them. can do.

FIG. 5 shows the processing procedure at this time. Step 1202: If the extracted flat-rate discount calling service is one of the extracted flat-rate discount calling services, Step 1203: Call volume at the end of the current period of the flat-rate discount calling service. Is expected to reach the specified value, and if it is expected to reach the specified value, Step 1204: For all extracted normal call services and rate discount call services, predict that standard call duration calls will be made Calculate call charges.

Step 1205: If it is not possible to reach the specified value in Step 1203, the estimated call charge is calculated for all the fixed-rate discount call services that have been extracted, assuming that the call is to be performed for the standard call time. Step 1206: From the calculated estimated call charges, the cheapest one is selected as the call service.

The subsequent procedure is the same as in the case of FIG.

In order to predict whether or not the call volume at the end of the current period of this flat-rate discount call service will reach the specified value, it is assumed that the use amount changes linearly and the use amount at the end of the current period is predicted from the call record. In the method, or in the business of repeating a similar usage state with a cycle of one year or one month, a method of predicting the outlook from the call record of the same month of the previous year or the previous month can be used.

Further, as the processing procedure, the estimated call charge of the flat-rate discount service is not applied, without prioritizing the use of the flat-rate discount call service when the extracted flat-rate discount call service includes the flat-rate discount call service. In calculating, the amount equivalent to the flat-rate charge for the flat-rate discount calling service is subtracted from the flat-rate call charge for the flat-rate discount service to calculate the estimated call charge, and this amount is compared with the estimated call charges for other call services. It is also possible to adopt the method of selecting the cheapest call service with the estimated call charge. Also in this case, the estimated call charge of the flat-rate discount service is calculated at a low price, so that the flat-rate discount call service is easily selected.

Further, the fixed amount discount C in FIG. 12 (see FIG. 19)
In the fixed-rate discount call service in which the call charge increases stepwise each time the specified amount is exceeded, as in (c)), when the call is expected to exceed the specified amount or the additional specified amount due to the approaching end of the calling service. , An additional flat-rate call charge will be added by making the call. Therefore, in the case of such a call, in order to make it difficult to select this kind of flat-rate discount call service, it is conceivable to use the amount added with the additional flat-rate call charge as the predicted call charge as it is.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the lines of the old company, the long-distance new company and the regional new company are used as the communication lines has been described. You can also use the company's call service, ISDN, F-net, and wide area extension. Needless to say, if the number of communication lines is one, the process of notifying the communication device 104 of the line number in step 1109 is unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the unit call time table is provided and the predicted call time is calculated from this data and the standard call time. Instead of the unit call time table, the call charge for the standard call time is directly calculated. It is also conceivable that the estimated call charge table has. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the standard call time is set as the predicted call time. However, in the case where the data communication device is also connected to a communication line such as ISDN whose data transmission rate is different from other communication lines. For example, a configuration having a standard call time for each line is also conceivable. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the standard call time is preset, but based on the call time in the call record, the average call time of all records and the average call time of the record for each call service are calculated, It is also conceivable to use them as the predicted call time.

The data communication apparatus of this embodiment is widely applied to a facsimile apparatus for handling image data, a modem apparatus for handling code data, a telephone for handling voice data, a private branch exchange apparatus for handling these data in a complex manner, and the like. it can.

(Second Embodiment) In the data communication apparatus of the second embodiment, when data is transmitted to a destination facsimile machine or the like, the call time is set without storing or setting the data of the capability of the destination apparatus in advance. Can be predicted. Therefore, this data communication device holds a standard call constant of a parameter used for transmission, and the predicted call time to the first party with no call record is calculated using this standard call constant. Further, when data is transmitted or received with respect to the other party, the call record is recorded and the parameter in the call record is used as a parameter in the subsequent data transmission to the partner.

This device, as shown in FIG. 3, is a transmission data temporary storage device 205 for temporarily storing data before transmission.
In addition, the data storage device 208 stores standard call constants, the latest call record with each destination, conditions for providing each call service and charge system, and fixed-rate discount call cumulative data for each period. The other structure is the same as that of the device of the first embodiment.

This data communication device executes the operation in the procedure shown in FIG. Data communication device 20 that received the call request
Under the control of the control device 209, first, the transmission data temporary storage device 205 first transmits the input data until it is transmitted.
The telephone number of the communication destination is passed to the call service selection device 206.

Step 1301: Call service selection device 206
Extracts the available normal call service and charge discount call service from the long-distance telephone number of the delivered communication destination telephone number, the current date and time, and the fixed-rate discount call cumulative period.

Step 1302: Flat-rate discount calling service among the extracted charge-discount calling services (excluding fixed-rate discount calling service in which the cumulative amount of fixed-rate discount calls for the current period exceeds the specified amount (limit value) and fixed-rate discount is no longer applied) If there is, step 1303: calculate the estimated call time by the method described later from the standard call constant, latest call record and the amount of transmitted data, step 1304: based on this estimated call time , Calculate the expected call charges for all the extracted call services.

Step 1305: In Step 1302, even if the extracted flat-rate discount calling service is included in the extracted flat-rate discount calling services, the predicted call duration is calculated from the standard call constant, the latest call history, and the transmission data amount, and Step 1306 : Calculate the estimated call charges for all the extracted flat-rate discount calling services.

Step 1307: The cheapest one is selected from the thus calculated estimated call charges as the call service, and Step 1308: The communication result acquisition device 206 is notified of the destination telephone number and the selected call service type.

Step 1309: If the selected call service provider is a long-distance NCC, Step 1310: Add a number indicating the operator to the beginning of the destination telephone number, and step 1311: This destination The communication device 204 is notified of the telephone number (the telephone number as it is in the case of other than the long-distance NCC) and the contract line of the selected call service.

In response to this, the communication device 204 makes a call from the notified contract line to the notified destination telephone number, and when the communication is completed, the call record acquisition device 207 notifies the destination telephone number, the communication start time, and the call. The time, compression method, transmission speed, pre-processing and post-processing time, etc. are notified. The call record acquisition device 207 is
The destination phone number and call service type notified from the call service selection device 206 and the data notified from the communication device 204 are merged with the destination phone number as a key, the normal call charge is calculated, and the data is converted into data. The latest call record in the storage device 208 is recorded. In addition, if the call service type is a flat-rate discount call service, this call is added to the flat-rate discount current cumulative period.

The above is the outline of the operation of this embodiment.

Now, the calculation of the predicted call time using the standard call constant and the latest call record will be described. FIG.
7 shows an example of a standard call constant and the latest call record when a facsimile device is assumed as the data communication device. Generally, in a facsimile machine, the parameter selected by the operator is prioritized by the value selected by the operator, and the value closest to that value can be handled by the partner machine only when the partner facsimile machine does not support the selected value. To be selected. These parameters include scanning density (resolution), gradation and paper size. Further, as a value that the operator does not select, a value that minimizes the communication time that can be handled by both facsimile machines is selected. These parameters include transmission speed and data compression method.

Considering transmission to the same destination facsimile machine, the values selected between the facsimile machines and the pre-processing and post-processing time are almost the same value unless the line quality greatly changes. Further, the value selected by the operator is the set value selected by the operator if the partner device is compatible. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, regarding the values of the items that the operator can select corresponding to the destination of the destination device that has experience of data transmission / reception, all the corresponding values of the destination are recorded as call record values. However, for the values of other items,
It is possible to prepare the latest call record data in which the value at the time of the latest call is recorded, and use these data to predict the call time to the destination.

For the predicted call time, the transmission data amount is obtained based on the paper size, scanning density and gradation data selected by the operator and the compression method of the latest call record, and divided by the transmission speed of the latest call record, Calculated by adding the processing time before and after the latest call record.

Further, the standard value of each item is set as a standard call constant, and the call time is predicted using this constant for the first party who has no call history. for that reason,
Although the accuracy is somewhat inferior, the call duration can be predicted even for the other party who does not have a call history.

When the operator selects a value that is not included in the latest call record data, the predicted call time is calculated using the value that is closest to the latest call record data.

When the line quality of each call service to be used is similar, as shown in FIG. 17, one kind of set value is set for each item corresponding to the destination number and this is used. You can calculate the estimated call time by using ISDN or DDX.
If call services such as can be selected, it is necessary to have respective setting values corresponding to those call services. For example, when both the facsimile machine itself and the other facsimile machines support both G3 and G4 modes and are also connected to the ISDN line, set values for each mode of G3 and G4 are set, respectively. It is necessary to calculate the expected call time in this mode.

Although the facsimile apparatus has been described here, the expected call time can be calculated even in a modem apparatus that handles code data by recording the data compression method, the data transmission rate, and the pre-processing and post-processing time. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the charge discount call service is included in the call service selection targets. However, the charge discount call service is excluded from the selection targets, and a simple configuration for selecting only the normal call service is provided. Is also good.

The data communication apparatus of the present embodiment is particularly effective for transmitting storage system data that does not require real-time processing, such as a facsimile apparatus that handles image data and a modem apparatus that handles code data.

(Third Embodiment) The data communication apparatus of the third embodiment selects a cheap route and time zone, and transmits the stored data to the facsimile machine on the other side.

As shown in FIG. 1, this device includes a time notification device 305 in which the start time of data transmission is registered, and a storage device 305 that can store data and retrieve it when necessary.
In addition to the above, the communication line 303, the communication device 304, and the call service selecting device are provided in the same manner as the second embodiment (FIG. 3).
307, a call record acquisition device 308, a data storage device 309, a control device 310, and a control and data bus 311 are provided.

This data communication device performs the transmission request registration process in the procedure of FIG. 7 and the process after the transmission start time in the procedure of FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 7, step 1401: when the communication device 304 receives the transmission destination telephone number and the transmission data, it assigns IDs to the transmission data and the destination telephone number and passes them to the storage device 306. , The destination telephone number is passed to the call service selection device 307.
The storage device 306 stores the transmission data to which the ID is added and the destination telephone number.

Step 1402: Call service selection device 307
Calculates a predicted call time using the standard call constant stored in the data storage device 309 or the latest call record of the destination, and Step 1403: predicts the cheapest call service in each time zone using this predicted call time. Calculate Call Charges, Step 1404: Select the combination of the cheapest call service of those expected call charges and its time zone. However, when there are a plurality of call services with the cheapest estimated call charges, the call service in the earliest time zone to visit from the current time and that time zone are selected.

Step 1405: The earliest time from the present in the selected time zone is set as the call start time, and the time is registered in the time notification device 305 together with the ID. Step 1406: The selected call service is stored in the storage device together with the ID. Accumulate in 306.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, step 1501: When the call start time comes, the time notification device 30
5 notifies the storage device 306 of the corresponding ID, and step 1502: The storage device 306 passes the transmission data corresponding to the notified ID, the destination telephone number, and the call service to be used to the communication device 304, and step 1503 : The communication device 304 transmits the passed transmission data to the passed destination by the call service passed.

Step 1504: The call record acquisition device 308
The call record is recorded in the latest call record of the data storage device 309, and when the flat-rate discount call service is used, the record of the fixed-rate discount current cumulative period is updated.

The above is the description of the operation of this embodiment. If there are more than the number of lines that can be registered at the same call start time in the time notification device 305, it is not possible to start all transmissions at the call start time, but at that time it is possible to start transmission sequentially. Correspond. In this case, there is no particular problem unless there is a large delay such that the call time zone changes.

Although the ID is used in this embodiment, the destination telephone number may be used instead of the ID.
Further, in the present embodiment, although the call service is also stored, the call service selecting device is set after the transmission start time.
The call service may be selected again by 307.

Also, in the present embodiment, the charge discount call service can be selected, but it is also possible to select from only the normal call service, and instead of predicting the call time from the amount of transmitted data, standard call Time may be used.

The data communication apparatus of the present embodiment is particularly effective when used for transmitting storage system data that does not require real-time processing, such as a facsimile apparatus that handles image data and a modem apparatus that handles code data.

(Fourth Embodiment) The data communication apparatus of the fourth embodiment has a function of proposing to the user a combination of call services which can save monthly communication costs. In order to obtain this combination, it is assumed that there are combinations of call services that can be used on the lines that can be accommodated by this device. If it is carried out, it calculates how much the call charge will be, and informs the user of the combination of the call services in which the call charge is the lowest.

The hardware configuration of this device is the same as that of the device of the first embodiment (FIG. 2). However, data storage device
As shown in FIG. 15, the call start date and time, the call time, and the destination telephone number of the call made in the past are recorded in the call record 107 as a call record, and the charge discount that prevents duplicate contracts on the same subscriber line is shown in 107. Information about the call service and data on the maximum number of lines that can be accommodated are also stored.

This device executes its operation in the procedure shown in FIG.

Step 1601: The user specifies the calculation start date in order to determine the call charge calculation period.

Step 1602: The control device 107 determines the end date of the calculation period from the designated calculation start date and the number of days of the period (usually one month), and Step 1603: Calls actually made during this calculation period. 15 is calculated from the total call history of FIG. 15, and the total call charge is calculated assuming that these calls are made using only the normal call service of N company (hereinafter, this call charge is referred to as the normal total call charge). ).

Step 1604: Next, while changing the number of lines from 1 to the maximum number of lines that can be accommodated, in each case, the sum of the flat-rate charge and the flat-rate call charge of the call service is usually less than the total call charge. Ask for all calling service combinations. However, the combination of calling services that cannot be duplicated is excluded.

Step 1605: The following steps 1606 to 1609 are repeated for each combination of call services.

Step 1606: A new area for the fixed amount discount current period is newly secured in the data storage device 107, and the data in the area is reset.

Step 1607: If the call actually made from the calculation start date to the calculation end date is made when the set combination of call services is available, which call service is Whether or not the optimum call service is selected is determined by the same procedure as in the first embodiment by using the call start time of the call record, the destination area code and the call time (however, the actual call without using the standard call time). Step 1608: Obtain the total call charges when using the call service. However, the flat-rate discount part is added as a flat-rate call charge separately, so it is not added as a call charge.

Step 1609: Further, in the obtained call charge,
The total call charge is calculated by adding the flat-rate charge to be paid under the set combination of call services and the flat-rate call charge. If you need to pay additional flat-rate calling charges by referring to the data for the cumulative amount of flat-rate discounts for the current period, add the additional flat-rate calling charges to obtain the total call charge. The total call charge thus obtained is recorded in the data storage device 107 together with the combination of the call service and the number of lines.

The above processing is repeated for all combinations of the call services, and step 1610: The call service and the line for which the total call charge is most saved among the combinations of the call services and the number of lines stored in the data storage device 107. Notify the user of the combination of numbers and the call charge.

The above is the description of the operation of this embodiment. In addition, when notifying the call service and the number of lines that can save the call charge, in order to show the effect of saving the communication cost in an easy-to-understand manner, in addition to the combination of the call service and the number of lines that can save the total call charge, It is also preferable to notify the following several combinations all at once, to notify all the combinations, or to notify the total call charges of the normal total call charges and the combination of the call services currently subscribed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the number of communication lines is variable, but it is also possible to request a combination of call services, assuming that the call services in which the number of lines is one and the contract cannot be duplicated cannot be used at the same time. The data communication apparatus of this embodiment can be widely applied to a facsimile apparatus that handles image data, a modem apparatus that handles code data, a telephone that handles voice data, a private branch exchange apparatus that handles these data in a complex manner, and the like.

(Fifth Embodiment) The data communication apparatus of the fifth embodiment is a facsimile machine or the like having a plurality of communication lines, and the efficiency can be improved by using these communication lines for both incoming and outgoing calls. While enabling the simultaneous broadcast transmission, it is adjusted so that the probability of occurrence of busy during the broadcast transmission does not increase. For this reason, in this device, if the number of lines not in use among the plurality of communication lines is less than or equal to a predetermined value (specified number of lines), new transmission is not performed.

The hardware configuration of this device is the same as that of the third embodiment (FIG. 1). However, communication line 303
Includes multiple lines subscribed to by the same called number,
Further, the communication device 304 is set with a value of the specified number of lines, which is a positive natural number and smaller than the total number of lines.

In this device (facsimile device), when the control device 310 requests a call such as a broadcast transmission or a fixed time transmission, the communication device 304 indicates the number of lines that can be called and received, which are neither communicating nor originating. (Hereinafter, the line that is not currently used is called a closed line, and the line that is not in use and is not available is called a live line). If the number of closed lines is greater than the specified number, , Start calling immediately. When the number of closed lines is equal to or less than the specified number, the line is attached to the end of the transmission queue waiting for transmission, and the transmission order is waited with the facsimile data stored. When the transmission or reception of another facsimile is completed and the number of idle lines exceeds the specified number, facsimile transmission is started in the order of the transmission queue.

The above is the operation of this embodiment. A comparison will be made below with this embodiment and a conventional technique that uses lines for both outgoing and incoming calls.

If the distribution of incoming calls follows the Poisson distribution and the call duration of one call is T, the total number of lines is N, and the specified number of lines is L, the number of lines that are in communication after the number of idle lines reaches the specified number of lines. The average time Tw until one is closed is

[Equation 1] Can be expressed as

If the average number of incoming calls per unit time is λ, the probability P (x) of x incoming calls during the time Tw is
From the Poisson distribution formula,

[Equation 2] Becomes

Further, when the specified number of lines L is set to 0, 1, and 2, during the time Tw from when the number of closed lines becomes the specified number of lines until one of the lines under communication becomes closed. , The probability P of receiving L or more, that is, the probability P of busy occurrence
Are respectively L = 0,

(Equation 3) And when L = 1,

[Equation 4] And when L = 2,

(Equation 5) Becomes

Also, the expected value of the number of incoming calls during the time from when the number of closed lines matches the specified number of lines until one of the lines in communication becomes closed is converted into "busy". The expected value of the number of incoming calls "M is, when L = 0,

(Equation 6) And when L = 1,

(Equation 7) And when L = 2,

(Equation 8) Becomes

When the specified number of lines L is 0, it corresponds to the conventional technique in which all the lines are used for both outgoing and incoming calls, and when the specified number of lines L is 1 or 2, it corresponds to the present invention.

For example, assuming that the total number of lines N is 16, the call time T of one call is 3 minutes, and the prescribed number of lines L is 0, 1, 2, the time Tw is as shown in (Table 1). Become. When the average number of incoming calls λ per minute is changed, the probability P that busy is generated is as shown in (Table 2), and the unit time is 1
The expected value M of the number of incoming calls which is converted into minutes is as shown in (Table 3).

[Table 1]

[Table 2]

[Table 3] As can be seen from (Table 2) and (Table 3), in the present embodiment, the number of incoming calls that are busy can be considerably reduced compared to the conventional technique of L = 0.

As described above, the device of the fifth embodiment temporarily obtains the means for obtaining the number of idle lines in the communication device 304 and the transmission of the stored facsimile data when the number of idle lines is less than the specified number of lines. By providing the means for delaying, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation in which the user who has transmitted to the present data communication device cannot transmit / receive data because the user is busy and the data is transmitted again.

In the above equation, the prescribed number of lines L is 1 and 2
Although the case has been described, generally, the larger the prescribed number of lines L is, the less the number of incoming calls becomes busy. However, if the value is set too large, it takes too much time to complete the outgoing call. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the value of the prescribed line number L in consideration of the importance of the incoming call information and the urgency of the outgoing call information.

Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the conventional method in which the number of incoming and outgoing lines is fixedly determined, the line can be used for both outgoing and incoming calls, so the frequency of use of either incoming or outgoing increases. In such a case, the line can be used more efficiently than the conventional one.

The probability P that a call is busy and the expected value M of the number of incoming calls that are busy are related to the average number of incoming calls λ per unit time. Therefore, the average number of incoming calls per unit time λ
It is possible to reduce the number of incoming calls that are busy during the daytime, when the value of is generally considered to be large, by setting the prescribed line number L to a slightly large value.
On the other hand, in the nighttime, when the value of λ is generally considered to be small, by setting the specified number of lines L to a slightly small value, many lines can be used simultaneously for outgoing calls, so it is faster. It is possible to make various outgoing calls. Further, a method of preliminarily obtaining the call record, dividing into appropriate time zones, predicting the value of the average number of incoming calls λ from the call record for each time zone, and determining the prescribed line number L can be considered.

The data communication apparatus of the present embodiment is particularly effective for transmitting storage system data that does not require real-time processing, such as a facsimile apparatus that handles image data and a modem apparatus that handles code data.

[0121]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiments, the data transmission apparatus of the present invention allows each business to operate even if the user does not directly know the charge system of various call services and the usage record for this month. It is possible to automatically select the optimal call service that enables monthly communication cost savings from among the call services that include discounts for users.

Further, in the device for storing the standard call constant and the latest call record for each destination, even if the transmission capacity of the device for each destination is not set in advance, the estimated call time is calculated using the standard call constant. It is possible to calculate and calculate the expected call charge for each call service. In addition, in the case of the other party who has experienced the call, the ability of the other party's device obtained at the time of the call is automatically recorded, and for the second and subsequent calls, the estimated call time is calculated based on this result, and each call is calculated. The expected call charge for the service can be calculated. Therefore, the selection of the call service becomes more accurate, and the monthly communication cost can be saved more accurately.

Further, in a device that accumulates data and transmits at a time when the call charge is low, even if the user does not directly input the transmission start time, the transmission start time is automatically selected and the date and time discount is positively taken. Can be used.

Further, in the device for recording the call record and proposing the contract of the call service based on the record, the user knows the combination of the call services that can save the most monthly communication cost based on the call record. It is possible to save the communication cost in the future.

Further, in a device provided with a means for temporarily delaying the transmission of the stored facsimile data when the number of closed lines does not reach the predetermined number, the data transmitted to the data communication device because the user transmitting the data is busy. It is possible to reduce the situation in which it is not possible to send and receive, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the call service selection device of the first embodiment,

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the call service selection device when the call frequency is high in the first embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the call service selection device according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of transmission request registration processing in the data communication apparatus according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a flowchart after the transmission start time in the data communication apparatus of the third embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing for calculating an optimum combination of call services in the data communication apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 10] Correspondence number correspondence table for obtaining call distance types and service providers corresponding to destination area telephone numbers,

[Fig. 11] Price list of normal call charges of each carrier,

[Fig. 12] Table of charge discount call service providing conditions and charge systems of each operator,

FIG. 13 is a subscription contract status table showing the contract status of a communication line connected to a data communication device,

[Fig. 14] Fixed-rate discount cumulative total for the current period, which shows the cumulative usage record of the fixed-rate discount calling service

[FIG. 15] A record of all call records recording all call records,

[FIG. 16] Correspondence table of available call services for destination area telephone numbers,

FIG. 17: Latest call record including standard call constants,

FIG. 18: Conditions for providing various discount call services and a billing system,

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a call charge image of a flat-rate discount call service,

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a call charge image of a fixed rate discount call service.

[Description of sign]

 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302 Data communication device 103, 203, 303 Communication line 104, 204, 304 Communication device 105, 206, 307 Call service selection device 106, 207, 308 Call record acquisition device 107, 208, 309 data storage device 108, 209, 310 control device 109, 210, 311 control and data bus 205 transmission data temporary storage device 305 time notification device 306 storage device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data communication device that transmits data using a selected call service, stores provision conditions and charge structures of each call service, and a cumulative total of usage results of call services with a flat-rate discount in the call service for the current period. And a call service selecting unit that selects a call service that saves the most call charge from the call services using the data stored in the storage unit. 2. A data communication device for transmitting data using a selected call service, and storage means for storing the provision conditions and charge system of each call service, standard call constants and latest call record for each destination. The predicted call time is calculated by using the standard call constant for a data destination with no call record, and by using the latest call record for the data destination with a call record, and the calculated predicted call time. And a data stored in the storage means, and a call service selecting means for selecting a call service that can save the most call charge from the call services, the data communication device. 3. A data communication device for transmitting data using a selected call service, a storage means for storing a provision condition and a fee structure of each call service, a storage means for storing data to be transmitted, and a designation method. Time notification means for outputting a transmission command for the accumulated data at the time when the specified time is reached, and data stored in the storage means are used to select a call service and call start time at which the call charge is most saved. And a call service selecting means for designating the call start time to the time notifying means. 4. In a data communication device for transmitting data using a selected call service, a storage means for storing a provision condition, a charge system and a call record of each call service; and a storage means stored in the storage means. A call service selecting means for selecting a combination of the call services capable of carrying out the call recorded in the call history at the lowest call charge using data; and a presenting means for presenting a result selected by the call service selecting means. A data communication device comprising: 5. In a data communication device having a plurality of lines having the same incoming call number and capable of both outgoing and incoming calls, storage means for storing transmission data, and the number of outgoing and incoming lines allowed is a prescribed number of lines. If the number of lines that can be transmitted / received is less than or equal to the specified number of lines, the transmission of the transmission data is started when the number of lines is greater than the specified number of lines And a communication means for delaying the transmission of the data.