GB2328345A - Facsimile System - Google Patents

Abstract

The facsimile telecommunication system for image transmission comprises a facsimile machine (11) which calls the host computer (12), waits to receive a predetermined sound from the host computer (12) at a timing set by the user, and starts transmitting the facsimile image after the predetermined sound is received. The host computer (12) prepares to receive a control signal from the facsimile machine (11) when called by the facsimile machine (11), transmits a transmission authorization signal for enabling control signal transmission after the preparation is completed, and communicates with the facsimile machine (11) after the control signal is received from the facsimile machine (11).

Description

2328345 FACSIMILE TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH FACSIMILE MACHINE

AND HOST COMPUTER The present invention claims priority based on a Japanese patent application, H09-157833 filed on May 30, 1997, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a facsimile telecommunication system having a host computer and a facsimile machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a facsimile image transfer system for receiving facsimile images from a facsimile machine and transferring facsimile images to a destination facsimile machine and receiving desired images by selecting the desired images from an image database stored in the host computer.

2. Description of Related Art

At present, a facsimile image transfer system for transferring facsimile images via a private line, and a facsimile image provider service for receiving desired images by selecting 1 the desired images from an image database stored in the host computer, have been provided.

However, in the conventional facsimile image transfer system, a user needs to input many number strings in response to a voice message from the host computer before the image transfer process is started. Thus, operation time is long because the user has to receive and respond to the voice message before facsimile image transmission will be started.

In the conventional facsimile image provider system, the user must input many number strings to indicate the image categories, the specific image within a category, and so on, in order to receive the desired image by selection of the picture from the image database stored in the host computer. Thus, the user needs to spend a long time receiving and responding to the voice message before the image receiving process is started.

In order to rectify these disadvantages of the conventional art, the present inventor previously invented a facsimile machine (H08-344429) for automatically transmitting subsequent number string(s) after waiting a predetermined time after an initial number string has been transmitted. According to the present invention, the facsimile machine can transmit destination information for the image, the desired image number, etc. automatically to the host computer because the facsimile machine has the ability to wait until the host computer is able to receive the subsequent number strings.

2 However, according to the method of H08-344429, the user has to obtain time information in advance in order to enable the apparatus to receive the subsequent number strings. Further, it is impossible for the facsimile machine to determine and set in advance the time at which it will be ready to receive the subsequent number strings, because the operation speed varies depending on the service content, the other tasks running, and so on. Thus, it is possible to wait for a maximally required period of time.for the ready-to-receive state to be achieved. This wait situation sometimes causes meaningless wasting time before image transmission or reception starts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION is An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile telecommunication system for solving the above-described problems, and a host computer and a facsimile machine for the facsimile telecommunication system. According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile telecommunication system, a source facsimile machine communicates with a destination facsimile machine through a host computer and a telecommunication line (40). The facsimile machine includes a call unit for calling the host computer, a wait unit for waiting to receive a predetermined authorization signal at a time set by the user of the facsimile machine, a control signal transmission unit for transmitting a control signal to the host 3 computer to control the host computer on the condition that the authorization signal has been received, and a facsimile telecommunication unit for starting facsimile telecommunication after the control signal transmission unit has transmitted the 5 control signal.

The host computer includes a preparation unit for preparing to receive the control signal from the facsimile machine when the host computer is called by the facsimile machine, a transmission unit for transmitting the authorization signal when the preparation by the preparation unit is completed, a receiving uni for receiving the control signal from the facsimile machine, and host computer telecommunication unit for starting the facsimile telecommunication with the facsimile machine based on the control signal received from the receiving unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication system, the facsimile machine is equipped with a ten-key for designating any numeral 0 through 9 and a wait key for designating a waiting operation by the wait unit. The authorization signal carries a DTMF signal indicating numerals. The wait unit serves to receive a DTMF signal corresponding to the numeral designated by the ten-key as the authorization signal from said host computer when the ten-key is pushed after the wait key is pushed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication apparatus, the control signal carries a second DTMF signal, and the control signal transmission 4 unit transmits the second DTMF signal on the condition that the authorization signal has been received.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication apparatus, the host computer further includes an image database unit for storing images provided to the facsimile machine and a retrieval unit for retrieving a predetermined image from the image database based on the control signal received from the facsimile machine, and the host computer telecommunication unit includes a unit for transmitting the predetermined image retrieved by the retrieval unit to the facsimile machine.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication apparatus, the host computer telecommunication unit includes a unit for receiving an image from the facsimile machine, the control signal carries identification information for identifying a destination for the image received from the facsimile machine, and the host computer further includes a unit for performing data communications with multiple other host computers, a unit for selecting a specified host computer from the multiple host computers based on the control signal, and a transfer unit for transferring information indicating the destination and the image received from the facsimile machine to the specified host computer.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication system, the control signal corresponds to a number input by a user. The control signal transmission unit stores the number input by the user and transmits the number by retrieving the number from the storage when the authorization signal has been received.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication system, the facsimile machine further includes a registration unit for registering wait operation of the wait unit and number transmission operation for the number by arranging the wait operation and transmission operation in arbitrary order, the the number wait unit waits to receive the authorization signal when the next operation registered in the registration unit is the wait operation, the control signal transmission unit transmits the number when the next operation is number transmission operation, and the facsimile telecommunication unit starts the facsimile telecommunication when the all the operations registered in the registered unit have been completed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a facsimile machine for performing facsimile telecommunication with a host computer via a telecommunication line includes a call unit for calling the host computer, a wait unit for waiting to receive a predetermined signal from the host computer at a timing set by the user after calling by the call unit, a control signal transmission unit for transmitting a control signal for controlling the host computer after the predetermined signal has been received, and a facsimile telecommunication unit for starting 6 facsimile telecommunication after the control signal transmission unit has transmitted the control signal.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile telecommunication system, the control signal corresponds to a number input by a user. The control signal transmission unit includes storage for storing the number input by the user, and transmits the number by retrieving the number from the storage when the authorization signal has been received.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the facsimile machine further includes a registration unit for registering the wait operation of the wait unit and the number transmission operation for the number by arranging the wait operation and the number transmission operation in arbitrary order. The wait unit waits for the predetermined signal, when the next operation registered in the registration unit is the wait operation. The number transmission unit transmits the number when the next operation registered in the registration unit is the number transmission operation, and the facsimile telecommunication unit starts facsimile transmission when all the operations registered in the registration unit have been completed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the host computer further includes a preparation unit for preparing to receive a DTMF signal from the facsimile machine when called from the facsimile machine. A transmission unit for transmitting a transmission authorization signal authorizing DTMF signal transmission to the facsimile machine, and a facsimile 7 telecommunication unit for performing facsimile telecommunication with the facsimile machine after receiving the DTMF signal from the facsimile machine.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the host computer further includes an image database for storing images provided to the facsimile machine. A retrieval retrieves a predetermined picture from the image database based on the DTMF signal received from the facsimile machine, wherein the facsimile telecommunication unit includes a unit for transmitting the predetermined picture retrieved by the retrieval unit to the facsimile machine.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the facsimile telecommunication unit includes a unit for receiving an image from the facsimile machine. The DTMF signal carries identification information for identifying a destination of the image received from the facsimile machine. The facsimile telecommunication unit performs data telecommunication with other host computers, selects a specific host computer from the multiple host computers based on the DTMF signal, and transfers information indicating the destination and the image received from the facsimile machine to the specified host computer.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the host computer further includes a destination storage unit for storing a personal identification number assigned to the destination facsimile machine and a destination facsimile number indicating the destination facsimile machine. Accordingly, a user 8 of the facsimile machine can transmit the image by arranging the destination facsimile number and the personal identification number to an identification number assigned to the user in advance. The host computer further includes a unit for receiving the personal identification number and the identification numbers by the DTMF signal from the user. The host computer further includes a unit for retrieving the destination facsimile number indicating the destination facsimile machine from the destination storage unit using said personal identification number and the identification number received from the user. Here, the unit for retrieving the destination facsimile number has a server identification retrieval unit for retrieving the server, which can transmit the image at the lowest price to the facsimile machine using the destination facsimile number. The transfer unit has a unit for transferring the image received from the destination facsimile machine to the server retrieved by the server retrieval unit.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the host computer further includes storage unit for storing the identification number assigned to the user of the facsimile machine in advance. The host computer further includes a receiving unit for receiving the destination facsimile number indicating the destination facsimile machine, which will transmit the image, and the identification number for the user by the DTMF signal. Here, the retrieval unit has a identification determination unit for determining a host computer which can 9 transmit the image at the lowest price to the destination facsimile machine using the destination facsimile number. The transfer unit has a unit for transmitting the image received from the destination facsimile machine to the host computer determined by the determination unit in such case that the identification number received from the receiving unit is stored in the storage unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates the basic structure of a facsimile telecommunication system according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a chart for explaining the user database 20 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates the structure of the user database 24 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 illustrates a telecommunication sequence between the facsimile machine 10a and the host computer 12; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a facsimile telecommunication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the components of the host computer 12a12d; Fig. 7 is a chart showing the components of the user database 20; Fig. 8 is a chart showing the components of the host computer database 22; Fig. 9 is a chart showing the components of the image database 24 shown; Fig. 10 is a chart showing the components of the charge amount database 26; Fig. 11 is a telecommunication sequence of the facsimile transmission system according to the second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing operations of the host 10 computer 12a; Fig. 13 is a telecommunication sequence of the third embodiment; Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing operations of the host computer 12a according to the third embodiment; Fig. 15 is a schematic view showing the host computer and the facsimile machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 16 is a schematic view showing telecommunication system components of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed explanation of the present invention is hereafter 25 provided by way of an embodiment with reference to the figures.

11 1. First embodiment Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a facsimile telecommunication system according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, each facsimile machine 10a and 10b (generally referred to as facsimile machine 10) is connected to a host computer 12 through a public switched telephone network 40 such as a cable television telecommunication network, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), or ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network). A user calls the host computer 12 using the facsimile machine 10, and requests specific image data from image data stored by the host computer 12. The host computer 12 retrieves from an image database 24 the image data requested by the user and transmits the image data to the facsimile machine 10.

In the host computer 12, a CPU 14 installs programs recorded on a medium 36 onto a hard disc 38, and reads/writes to/from RAM 18. Further, the CPU 14 functions using the RAM 18 as a work area according to the programs that are read/written in RAM 18 and the programs stored in ROM 16. Moreover, the CPU 14 verifies each call from each facsimile machine 10, then generates a signal (transmission authorization signal) indicating a ready-to-receive state when signals such as DTMF, etc. are ready to be received from the facsimile machine 10, and provides the authorization signal to a DTMF converter 28. The DTMF converter 28 converts the authorization signal provided from CPU 14 into a sound signal and transmits the converted authorization signal to the facsimile 12 machine 10a. The DTMF converter 28 converts the DTMF signals received through the PSTN interface 32 into digital signals.

The facsimile machine 10 includes a wait key 11 in addition to other keys provided with a conventional facsimile machine, such as a ten-key (having 12 keys for numerals 0 through 9, #, and and a one touch key. The facsimile machine 10 is designed to perform a second operation after waiting to receive a predetermined sound from the public switched telephone network 40 when the second operation has been keyed in after the wait key 11 is pushed. For example, in a typical preferred embodiment, a DTMF signal corresponding to the numeral designated by the ten-key is transmitted after receiving a predetermined sound when the ten-key has been pushed after the wait key 11 is pushed. Similarly, facsimile telecommunication begins after the predetermined sound is received from the public switched telephone network 40 if the start key has been pushed after the wait key 11 is pushed.

The wait key 11 can be pushed more than once. For example, in such case that the wait key 11 is pushed twice in a row, the waiting operation is made to wait until the predetermined sound is received again from the public switched telephone network 40, after having been received a first time and having terminated. If the first number string, the wait key 11, the second number string, the wait key 11, and the third number string are keyed in that order. The facsimile machine 10 first transmits the first number string to the public switched telephone network 40, then transmits the second number string after waiting for the 13 predetermined sound, and then transmits the third number string after waiting for the predetermined sound once more. In such case that the first number string, the wait key 11, the second number string, the wait key 11, and the start key are keyed in that order, the first number string is first transmitted to the public switched telephone network 40. The second number string is then transmitted after waiting until the predetermined sound is received, and the facsimile then starts to operate after waiting until the predetermined sound is received once more.

Fig. 2 shows details of the user database 20 shown in Fig. 1.

The user database 20 stores each user's user ID, and also stores the dates and fees of each use as log-information corresponding to each user ID. If a user ID which is not registered in the user database 20 is received, a determination is made that this is an unauthorized user. In such a case, the CPU 14 does not transmit the transmission authorization signal to the facsimile machine 10, and the number string transmission is terminated after that. The host computer 12 charges a service fee to the user regularly (for example, once a month) based on the log-information stored in the user database 20.

Fig. 3 illustrates the structure of the image database 24 shown in Fig. 1. The host computer 12 assigns an image ID to each image and stores each image along with that image's ID in the image database 24. For example, in such case that a request for the picture ID "0004" is received from the user, the CPU 14 retrieves the picture ID "0004u from the image database 24. The 14 CPU 14 selects the corresponding image data "D", and transmits this data to the facsimile machine 10 via the public switched telephone network 40. Each image can be stored as an independent image file.

Fig. 4 illustrates a telecommunication sequence between the facsimile machine 10a and the host computer 12. The telecommunication sequence will be explained using an example, in which a first number string for the phone number of the host computer 12, wait key, second number string for the personal user ID, third number string for the image category number, wait key, fourth number string for image number, and start button are keyed in this order to the facsimile machine 10a by the user.

The facsimile machine 10a first transmits the first number strings to the public switched telephone network 40 and calls the host computer 12 (S202), then waits to receive a transmission authorization signal. The host computer 12 receives the call and transmits the transmission authorization signal to the facsimile machine 10a (S206) if the host computer 12 is able to receive the user ID. In the host computer 12 is ready to receive the user ID, the host computer 12 transmits a message requesting that the user ID be input to the facsimile machine 10a.

The facsimile machine 10a transmits the user ID (the second number string) to the host computer (S208) after receiving the transmission authorization signal, and then waits to receive the transmission authorization signal again. The host computer 12 verifies that the received user ID is registered in the user database 20 (S210), and upon verification transmits the transmission authorization signal to the facsimile machine loa along with a voice message requesting the image category (S212).

After the transmission authorization signal is received, the facsimile machine 10a transmits the requested image data category number (the third number strings) (S214), and then waits for the next transmission authorization signal.

After the image data category is received (S214), the host computer 12 prepares to receiving the image number. While this preparation is being made, the transmission authorization signal and a message requesting the image number are transmitted to the facsimile machine 10a (S218). After the transmission authorization signal is received, the facsimile machine 10a transmits the image number (the fourth number string) representing the specific image data (S220). The host computer 12 determines the image ID based on the image number received at step S220 and the category number received at step S214, and then retrieves the specified image from the image database 24 based on the image ID.

After that, the host computer 12 performs the usual negotiation for the facsimile machine 10 and the facsimile transmission (S226), and transmits the retrieved image data to the facsimile machine 10 (S228).

According to the conventional image provider service via facsimile, the user has to enter the required inputs in the facsimile machine after listening to the voice messages transmitted in advance from the host computer 12 and determining 16 the number strings to be sent in response to the voice message. Accordingly, by the time the voice messages have selected the desired image data based on the responses to a set of hierarchical instructions, the user has had to operate the apparatus for a long time before receiving the desired picture data. According to the preferred embodiment, the facsimile machine 10 holds an input number, and waits for the transmission authorization signal sent from the host computer 12 every time a wait key input occurs in the key sequence which has been entered in advance. Further, when the transmission authorization signal is received, the next numerical strings are transmitted automatically. Thus, the user can complete the operation for receiving the desired image data from the host computer 12 by just inputting in advance a key sequence consisting of number strings separated by pauses, that is, by wait key inputs.

In the facsimile machine 10a, regularly used numeric strings and key sequences consisting of numeric strings and wait key inputs may be entered and stored in the one touch key. When the one touch key is used, the facsimile machine 10a waits to receive the transmission authorization signal from the host computer 12 every time a wait key input occurs, and then transmits the next numeric string after receiving the transmission authorization signal. In this way, the user can receive the desired image data by just pushing a single key. Especially, when the host computer 12 regularly provides updated information such as the news, the desired latest information can be obtained by just pushing the one 17 touch key every time the information is updated, for example, every week or every month.

2. Second embodiment Fig. 5 illustrates basic components of a facsimile telecommunication system of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 5, each facsimile machine 10a10f (10 is used hereinafter) is respectively connected to the nearest host computer 12a12d (12 is used hereinafter) via a public switched telephone network 40 such as a cable television telecommunication network, PSTN, ISDN, or the like. Thus, the facsimile machine 10 and the host computer 12 are able to communicate with each other at a low cost such as the cost of a local telecommunication fee or the like. The host computer 12 can communicate with another host computer 12 located in any country or any region via a low cost digital telecommunication network such as the Internet 30.

Each facsimile machine 10a-lof has a wait key 11. The wait key 11 is the special key to indicate a state in which the facsimile machine 10 waits for a transmission authorization signal from the host computer 12 as described in the first embodiment. For example, the user of the facsimile machine 10a inputs the phone number for the host computer 12a, then pushes the wait key 11, and then inputs the destination facsimile number for the user ID and the facsimile image.

In the preferred embodiment, the telecommunication fee is reduced by transferring the image received from a sender's 18 facsimile machine 10 between multiple host computers 12 and further transferring the image to the destination facsimile machine 10. In order to reduce the average cost for the facsimile transferring service, the host computers 12 are preferably located closer together in regions where the facsimile telecommunication traffic is higher. For example, a host computer 12 is located in each country in Europe, and on the West Coast and the East Coast in America.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the components of the host computer 12. In the host computer 12, the CPU 14 installs programs of the memory medium 36 into the hard disc drive 38, and further reads/writes to/from RAM 18. Here, the CPU 14 functions using RAM 18 as a work area according to the programs read/written in RAM 18 and stored in ROM 16. The PSTN interface 32 controls a PSTN network, for example, the public switched telephone network 40. The DTMF converter 28 converts the DTMF signal received via the PSTN interface 32 and the PSTN network to a digital signal.

The user database 20 records an ID (identification number) identifying the facsimile system user and an address (transmission number) on the public switched telephone network 40 for the facsimile machine used by the user. A host computer database 22 associates each country code according to the international telephone number system and each area code within each country to the Internet address of the nearest host computer 12 and records these associated numbers and addresses. The image database 24 stores data in which each image received from the facsimile 19 machine 10a-10f is associated with an image destination. A charge amount database 26 stores charge amount information for each user. An Internet interface 34 interfaces with the Internet 30.

Fig. 7 is a chart showing the components of the user database 20 shown in Fig. 6. Each user transmits a facsimile image to a predetermined single host computer 12, which is the nearest to the user's facsimile machine. Inthe user database 20 the destination facsimile number is associated with the ID for each user who sends images to the host computer 12. Accordingly, if an unregistered ID is received, it is determined that the user is unauthorized.

Further, the user database 20 records a password identifying the destination facsimile machine to which the user transmits the image and the destination facsimile number corresponding to the destination facsimile machine with each ID. For the password, a two-digit number, for example, is used. By specifying the ID and the destination password, one destination facsimile machine is specified using the user database 20. For the destination phone number, a destination country code and area code are added whether or not the destination is in the same country or area as the user.

Fig. 8 is a chart showing the components of the host computer database 22 shown in Fig. 6. In the host computer database 22 the country code for each country based on the international telephone number system is associated with the address of the host computer 12 having the lowest telecommunication fee to that country. The host computer 12 having the lowest telecommunication fee to the destination cannot be identified only by the country code when multiple computers exist in the same country. In this case, the first digits of the domestic telephone number and the country code are stored in the host computer database 22. The address of the host computer 12 which has the lowest telecommunication fee to the domestic area having certain first digits is stored in the host computer database 22 by associating the country code and the first digits. As an example of the first digits of the domestic telephone number, the area code is stored in the host computer database 22 according to the preferred embodiment. However, a part of the area code or the whole area code and the f irst. digits of the domestic telephone number can be stored instead.

When the sender's facsimile machine loa calls the nearest domestic host computer 12a to transmit a facsimile image to New York, for example, the host computer 12a selects the host computer 12 nearest to the destination based on the destination area code and country code, namely. the host computer 12b of the northern part of the East Coast in America. According to the preferred embodiment, each host computer 12 is stored in the host computer database 22 in the form of an address on the Internet.

Fig. 9 is a chart showing the components of the image database 24 shown in Fig. 6. The host computer 12 stores the received image in the image database 24 as an image file. The image database 24 stores the transmitter's address (source number) in the public switched telephone network 40, the destination address (destination facsimile number) in the public switched telephone network 40, the image receiving time, and the image file 21 index corresponding to the user IDs for which the images are transmitted. As the image index, a file number of the image file, for example, is stored. Further, when the image transmission is completed, the image file is deleted from the image database, and the data for the image for which the transmission has been completed is also deleted.

Fig. 10 is a chart showing the components of the charge amount database 26 shown in Fig. 6. The charge amount database 26 records each user ID, the time at which each user has begun to transmit the image, the time necessary for transmitting the image, the destination facsimile number, and the fee for transmitting the image. The host computer 12, which has received the image data from the facsimile machine 10, calculates a charge amount every time image data is received from the facsimile machine 10 and records it in the charge amount database 26, classifying the data shown in Fig. 10 by user ID. Further the host computer 12 sums up the charge amount once a month, for example, and issues a bill to the user. Fig. 11 illustrates a telecommunication sequence of the facsimile transmission system of the preferred embodiment. Here, an explanation is given based on the case in which an image is transmitted to America from Japan. The transmitter dials the nearest host computer 12a from the personal facsimile machine loa (S100). When a call is received from the public switched 25 telephone network 40 (S102), the host computer 12a accepts the call (S104). After the host computer 12a has accepted the call, 22 the host computer 12a prepares to receive DTMF signals such as the destination facsimile number, the user ID, and so forth.

If the host computer 12a is able to receive the DTMF signal, the host computer 12a transmits the transmission authorization signal, which allows the DTMF signal be transmitted, to the facsimile machine 10a (S106). After the transmission authorization signal sound is received, the facsimile machine 10a transmits the user ID and the destination personal identification number to the host computer 12a (S107). The user may input the user ID and the destination personal identification number every time the image is transmitted. Alternately, the user ID and the destination facsimile number can be previously stored in RAM 18 and selected by the one touch key every time the image is transmitted.

The time for the host computer 12a to receive the call through the public switched telephone network 40 after the facsimile machine 10a has completed dialing (S102) depends on the traffic conditions. The time for enabling the DTMF signal to be received after the host computer 12a has received the call at step S104 (S105) also depends on the traffic conditions. According to the conventional art, the user would typically set these times in advance by allowing enough time for the maximum possible time required for each step and pushing the pause key of the facsimile machine 10a accordingly.

However, this method has resulted in long set up times depending on the circumstances and a pause has occurred before 23 the personal identification number, the user ID, etc. get received after the ready-to-receive state has been realized. According to the preferred embodiment, the host computer 12a transmits the transmission authorization signal and notifies the facsimile machine 10a that the transmission authorization signal has been transmitted after being a ready state for receiving the DTMF signal. Then the facsimile machine 10s immediately transmits the user ID and the personal identification number.

According to this method, the wasteful pause time becomes shorter, and the subsequent number data can be securely transmitted to the host computer. The user may input the user ID and the destination personal identification number every time the image is transmitted. Alternately, the user ID and the destination facsimile number may be previously stored in RAM 18 and can be selected by the one touch key every time the image is transmitted. The host computer 12a verifies whether or not the user ID has been registered in the user database 20 (S108) after receiving the ID and the destination facsimile number (S106).

If the ID is registered, the specified one of destination facsimile numbers for one ID is retrieved from the user database 20 using the ID and the destination facsimile number (Silo). Next, the host computer 12a negotiates for facsimile transmission and the facsimile machine 10a (S112), and then receives the image from the facsimile machine 10a (S114). At this time, the image is transmitted as analog sound data through the public switched telephone network 40. The host computer 12a receives and 24 demodulates this analog sound image data, converts this data to digital data, and stores the converted image data in the image database 24. Further, the host computer 12a retrieves the information for the destination host computer 12b nearest to the destination facsimile machine from the host computer database 22 by using the destination facsimile number retrieved at the step of silo (S118).

Then, the destination facsimile number and the image data are transmitted through the Internet 30 to the host computer 12b retrieved at step S118. Since in the image data transmission (step S120), demodulated digital image data are transmitted via the Internet 30, the amount of data transmitted is very small and the speed of transmission is very fast, compared with the case in which voice band demodulated data are transmitted using an international line. The host computer 12b receives and stores the digital data (S124). Then the destination facsimile number is extracted from the received data (S126), and the destination facsimile machine is called (S128).

When the facsimile machine lob receives (S132) the call (S130), the host computer 12b negotiates for transmitting the image with the facsimile machine lob (S134), converts the image to sound data, and then transmits the image to the host computer 12b according to the usual facsimile operation steps (S136). After the image data transmission has been completed, the host computer 12b notifies the transmitter's host computer 12a that the transmission has been completed (S134).

Thus, the facsimile machine loa can transmit the image by calling the host computer 12a using the conventional facsimile machine, taking the predetermined pause, and transmitting the user ID and the destination personal identification number. Thus, the user can transmit the image without listening to the voice instructions from the host computer 12a. Moreover, facsimile machine 10a can transmit the image by just paying a communication fee for the communication from the facsimile machine 10a to the host computer 12a, a telecommunication fee from the host computer 12b to the facsimile machine lob, and a digital data transmission fee through the Internet. Thus, the image can be transmitted inexpensively, compared with the conventional case in which the image is transmitted as sound data using an international telephone line.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing operations of the host computer 12a for the telecommunication sequence in Fig. 11. All the programs or some of the programs executing the steps shown in this figure are stored in the memory medium 36 and provided by the memory medium 36. The programs are installed in the host computer 12a by the memory medium 36 in advance. When a call arrives from the facsimile machine 10a (S302), the host computer 12a responds to the call (S304), and determines whether or not the preparation for receiving the user ID and the destination personal identification number is complete (S305). If the preparation is complete (YES at the step of S305), the host computer 12a transmits the transmission authorization signal to the facsimile 26 machine 10a (S306). After that, the user ID and the destination personal identification number, which are transmitted from the facsimile machine 10a, are received (S307).

Next, it is determined whether or not the user ID is registered in the user database 20 (S308). If the ID is not registered, an abnormal termination is made on the basis of ID error (S400). If the ID is registered, it is determined whether or not the destination personal identification number received from the facsimile machine 10 is registered in the list of destination personal identification numbers as corresponding to the ID (S310). If it is not so registered, an abnormal termination is made (S400). If the destination personal identification number is so registered, the destination facsimile number is retrieved and read out from the user database 20 using the destination personal identification number (S312).

Next, negotiation with the facsimile machine loa for facsimile telecommunication is made (S316). After that, the image data is received from the facsimile machine loa as analog sound data, and then demodulated, converted to digital data, and stored in the host computer database 22 (S318). Then, the ID, the transmission number, the destination facsimile number read out at step S312, the receiving time, and an image index are recorded in the directory of the image database.

Next, the address of the destination host computer 12b is retrieved from the host computer database 22 by using the first digits (country code or area code, for example) of the destination 27 facsimile number retrieved at step S312 (S320). The host computer 12b having the lowest telecommunication fee can be selected because the address of the host computer having the lowest fee for telecommunication to the destination is stored. Next, the transmitter's ID, the source number, the destination facsimile number, the receiving time, and the image file, which are stored in the image database 24, are transmitted as digital data to the destination host computer 12b through the Internet 30 (S322).

When the destination host computer 12b has completed facsimile image transmission to the destination facsimile machine 10b, the host computer 12a receives transmission completion notification (S324). In the transmission completion notification, the transmitter's ID, the destination facsimile number, the image receiving time, and the time required to transmit the image are included as data elements. The host computer 12a records these data elements in the charge amount database 26 (S326) every time the ID changes. Finally, the charge amount is calculated based on the transmission time and the destination facsimile number and recorded in the charge amount database 26 (S326), and then the process is terminated.

As described in the above, according to the facsimile telecommunication system of the preferred embodiment, the conventional facsimile machine 10a can send the facsimile image to the destination facsimile machine by calling the nearest host computer 12a, inputting the ID and the destination facsimile number after the predetermined pause time. Alternately, the 28 facsimile machine 10a can wait for the transmission authorization signal at step S306. Up to now, sound data has been transmitted via international telephone line, which is expensive. In contrast, the present embodiment reduces the transmission fee dramatically because the transmission is realized inexpensively via the Internet between the transmitter's host computer 12a and the destination host computer 12b.

In the conventional art, the transmitted DTMF signal is displayed on the display of the facsimile machine 10. Thus, an outsider may use a stolen ID by stealing the ID when the ID on the display has been transmitted. The preferred embodiment designates the destination facsimile number by the destination personal identification number, so that the image can be transmitted only if the destination facsimile number is registered in the user database 20 in advance. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the theft of user IDs.

3. Third embodiment The present embodiment transmits the actual destination facsimile number by exchanging the destination personal identification number for another number. The explanation is excluded here because the system components and the file arrangements are exactly the same as the second preferred embodiment. However, the present embodiment does not need to register the destination facsimile number and the destination personal identification number in the user database 20.

29 Fig. 13 illustrates a telecommunication sequence of the third preferred embodiment. The present telecommunication sequence is similar to the telecommunication sequence in Fig. 11. However, the present embodiment does not need the destination facsimile number retrieval process (S110 in Fig. 11) because the in present embodiment the host computer 12a receives the destination facsimile number instead of the destination personal identification number at step S106 (S106). When the host computer 12a receives the destination facsimile number, the host computer 12a converts this destination facsimile number into a location independent destination number from the present host computer 12a (S109). When the host computer 12a of the present embodiment converts the destination facsimile number (S109), facsimile negotiation is made (S112), and then the image is received(S114) The explanation is excluded hereinafter because the process is the same as the first embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing operations of the host computer 12a of the present embodiment. All the programs or some of the programs executing the steps shown in this flowchart are stored in the memory medium 36 and provided by the memory medium 36. The programs are installed in the host computer 12 by the memory medium 36 in advance. The present operation is similar to the operation shown in Fig. 12. However, at step S306, in the present embodiment the user ID and the destination facsimile number are received instead of the user ID and the destination personal identification number. If the ID is registered in the user database 20 (S308), the received destination facsimile number is converted as explained above(S314).

At step (S314), it is determined whether the number for connecting to the international telephone line (for example, in Japan, 001 for selecting the KDD (trademark) international telephone service or 0088 for selecting the Dai-Ni-Denden international telephone service) is included in the received destination facsimile number. If the international telephone line number is not included in the destination facsimile number, it is determined whether or not an area code is included. If the area code is not included, it is determined that the destination is in the same area as the area in which the host computer 12a is located. Thus, the country code and the area code for the area in which the host computer 12a is located are added to the destination facsimile number.

If the destination facsimile number includes not the international telephone line connection number but the area code, it is determined that the destination is outside the city, but within the country, in which the host computer 12a is located.

Thus, the area code of the area in which the host computer 12a is located is added to the destination facsimile number. If the international telephone line connection number is included in the destination facsimile number, the destination is in a foreign country. Accordingly, the international telephone line connection number is deleted from the destination facsimile number. The destination location can be identified by the destination 31 facsimile number, because the above-explained converted destination facsimile number does not depend on the location of the host computer 12a. After step S314, the host computer 12a negotiates with the 5 facsimile machine 10 (S316), and receives the image (S318). The rest of the process after this step is the same as the first preferred embodiment, so the explanation is excluded hereinafter. According to the present embodiment, although the ID could be stolen, a facsimile image can be transmitted even to a destination not registered in advance.

4. Fourth embodiment In the third embodiment, the source facsimile machine 10 transmits the usual destination facsimile number to the host computer 12. Namely, the country code is not added to the destination facsimile number when the transmission is made within the country, and the area code is not added when the transmission is made within the city. However, as another preferred embodiment, the source facsimile machine 10 can transmit the destination facsimile number with the country code and the area code. In this case, the system can select the destination host computer without converting the destination facsimile number in the host computer 12. Further, in the second and third embodiments, the host computer 12 may transmit the facsimile image to the facsimile machine 10 by one touch operation by storing the 32 destination facsimile number, personal ID, telephone number, etc. of the nearest host computer 12a.

In the second and third embodiments, the facsimile machine transmits the facsimile image to another facsimile machine.

However. the fourth embodiment can be equipped with a terminal device, such as a multi-resolution image input-output device, a voice sound inputoutput device, or a video image input-output device, instead of the facsimile machine. By interfacing with these terminal devices in the server, this embodiment can transmit data, such as multi-resolution images, voice sounds, and video images, through the Internet. In these cases, this embodiment can release the user quickly by providing the function of waiting to receive the transmission authorization signal in the facsimile machine.

5. Fifth embodiment Modifications of the first and second preferred embodiments are illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. In these embodiments, an adapter 13 is installed between the facsimile machine 10 and the public switched telephone network 40. Further, the facsimile machine 10 is used as a conventional facsimile machine without the wait key 11. The explanation for the other components is excluded hereinafter because the other components are the same as the first or second embodiment.

The adapter 13 transmits the signal received from the facsimile machine 10 and the public switched telephone network 40 33 to the opposite line. The adapter 13 first stores the signal transmitted from the facsimile machine 10 after receiving the designated signal (DTMF sound of button, for example, called a wait signal) from the facsimile machine 10 into a memory 15 installed in the adapter. The adapter 13 then transmit the signal transmitted from the facsimile machine 10 to the public switched telephone network 40, and waits for the transmission authorization signal to be received from the public switched telephone network 40.

After the adapter 13 has received the transmission authorization signal from the public switched telephone network 40, the adapter 13 transmits the signals stored in the memory 15 to the public switched telephone network 40 in the order in which the stored signals were stored in the memory 15. Signals already transmitted are deleted from the memory 15. However if the signal stored in the memory 15 is the wait signal, the signal is not transmitted to the public switched telephone network 40, but the adapter 13 waits for receiving the transmission authorization signal.

When the transmission authorization signal is received again from the public switched telephone network 40, the signals received after receiving the wait signal are transmitted to the public switched telephone network 40 successively. After the signals stored in the memory 15 are transmitted to the public switched telephone network 40, the adapter 13 reverts to an empty state. The signals received from the facsimile machine 10 or the 34 public switched telephone network 40 are again transmitted to the opposite line without any alternation. According to the present embodiment, by providing the adapter 13, the same effects as were achieved by the first through fourth preferred embodiments can be 5 obtained using a conventional facsimile machine.

6. Sixth embodiment In the first and second embodiments, when the wait key 11 of the facsimile machine 10 is pushed, the facsimile machine 10 waits until it receives a sound corresponding to the wait key 11 from the host computer 12. However, as the sixth preferred embodiment, the facsimile machine 10 may wait until a sound corresponding to the ten-key pushed after the wait key 11 is pushed is received. The sound corresponding to the ten-key might be a DTMF signal for the number of the ten-key. For example, when the ten-key "7" is pushed after the wait key "ll" is pushed, the facsimile machine would wait to receive the DTMF signal "7". The host computer would transmit the DTMF signal 11711 to allow the facsimile machine to execute the next operation.

Further, the facsimile machine 10 may wait to receive, in the proper order, the sounds corresponding to several ten-key inputs, when the tenkey is pushed a predetermined number times after the wait key 11 is pushed. For example, if the ten-keys M" and "6" are pushed after the wait key is pushed and the predetermined number of ten-key inputs is 2, the apparatus waits until receiving the DTMF signals M" and "6" in that order. The host computer 12 transmits the DTMF signals for the ten-keys "4" and "C when the host computer 12 is ready to allow the facsimile machine 10 to execute the next operation. The operation of the facsimile machine in which the wait key and ten-key are pushed a predetermined number of times, may be executed on the condition that the apparatus receives the sounds corresponding to each ten-key input. For example, if the key sequence consisting of "wait key", 114611, 1103-3456-789011, "'wait key", "47", and "03-5678-3209" is entered and the above-mentioned 10 predetermined number of ten-key inputs is 2, the facsimile machine 10 transmits "03- 3456-7890" or "03-5678-3209" when "46" or "47" is received respectively from the host computer 12. If both of the ten-key inputs are received from the host computer 12 but 114711 is received before -46", then "03- 5678-3209" and "03-34567890" will 15 be transmitted in that order. When the host computer 12 can receive the destination facsimile number from the facsimile machine 10, the host computer 12 transmits "46" in DTMF signals and a voice message indicating that the number of the destination facsimile machine can be received, to the facsimile machine 10. Further, the host computer 12 transmits "47" in DTMF signals and a voice message indicating that the destination facsimile number for the transmitted report should be received from the facsimile machine 10 when it should be received, to the facsimile machine 10. 25 In this case, the user for the facsimile machine 10 may input each destination facsimile number manually after hearing the voice 36 sound message. Here, each destination facsimile number may be input after the wait key and "460 or "47" are input before the voice sound message is heard. Further, the above mentioned operation may be executed by just pushing a one-touch key, if all the required inputs, such as the wait key, the ten-key for the sounds for "46" and "47", and the ten-key for a transmitting sound are stored in association with the one-touch key in advance.

Although the present invention has been explained using the example of a facsimile telecommunication system, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the embodiments discussed herein. Those skilled in the art could add various modifications to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the attached claims.

According to the present invention, the operation of accessing a facsimile image service or facsimile image transfer service can be completed within short time. Further, it is possible by just pushing a one-touch key to access a facsimile image service or facsimile image transfer service by storing in the one-touch key a key sequence representing a sequence of operations.

Moreover, images can be transmitted through the Internet using a conventional facsimile machine. Besides, images can be transmitted inexpensively because each facsimile machine 10 transmits the image through the nearest host computer 12.

Further, the present invention can transmit an image as a smaller amount of data, compared with the conventional apparatus 37 transmitting sound data using an international telephone line, because the present invention converts sound signals to digital signals and transmits the digital signals.

38

Claims (17)

What is claimed is:

1. A facsimile telecommunication system having a host computer (12) and a facsimile machine (11) communicating with said host computer (12) through a telecommunication line (40), characterized by comprising: a call means, in said facsimile machine, for calling said host computer (12); a wait means, in said facsimile machine (11), for waiting to receive a predetermined authorization signal at a timing set by a user of said facsimile machine (11); a control signal transmission means, in said facsimile machine (11), for transmitting a control signal to said host computer (12) to control said host computer (12) on the condition that said authorization signal has been received; a facsimile telecommunication means, in said facsimile machine (11), for starting facsimile telecommunication after said control signal transmission means has transmitted said control signal in said facsimile machine (11); a preparation means, in said host computer (12), for preparing to receive said control signal from said facsimile machine (11) when said host computer (12) is called by said facsimile machine (11); a transmission means, in said host computer (12), for transmitting said authorization signal when preparation by said preparation means is completed; 39 a receiving means, in said host computer (12), for receiving said control signal from said facsimile machine (11); and a host computer (12) telecommunication means, in said host computer (12), for starting said facsimile telecommunication with said facsimile machine (11) based on said control signal received from said receiving means.

2. A facsimile telecommunication system according to claim 1, further characterized in that:

said facsimile machine (11) has a ten-key for designating any numeral 0 through 9 and a wait key for designating a waiting operation by said wait means; said authorization signal carries a DTMF signal indicating the numerals; and said wait means serves to receive a DTMF signal corresponding to the numeral designated by said ten-key as said authorization signal from said host computer (12) when said ten-key is pushed after said wait key is pushed.

3. A facsimile telecommunication apparatus according to claim 2, further characterized in that: 20 said control signal carries a second DTMF signal; and said control signal transmission means transmits said second DTMF signal on the condition that said authorization signal has been received.

4. A facsimile telecommunication apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that:

said host computer (12) further comprises an image database for storing images provided to said facsimile machine (11) and a retrieval means for retrieving a predetermined image from said image database based on said control signal received from said facsimile machine (11); and said host computer (12) telecommunication means has a means for transmitting said predetermined image retrieved by said retrieval means to said facsimile machine (11).

5. A facsimile telecommunication apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that said host computer (12) telecommunication means comprises a means for receiving an image from said facsimile machine (11), said control signal carries identification information for identifying a destination for said image received from said facsimile machine (11), and said host computer (12) comprises.

means for performing data communications with multiple other host computers (12); means for selecting a specified host computer (12) from said multiple host computers (12) based on said control signal; and a transfer means for transferring information indicating said destination and said image received from said facsimile machine (11) to said specified host computers (12).

6. A facsimile telecommunication system according to claim 3, further characterized in that:

41 said control signal corresponds to a number input by a user, and said control signal transmission means comprises:

a storing means for storing said number input by said user; and a means for transmitting said number by retrieving said number from said storing means when said authorization signal has been received.

7. A facsimile telecommunication system according to claim 6, further characterized in that:

said facsimile machine (11) further comprises a registration means for registering wait operation of said wait means and number transmission operation for said number by arranging said wait operation and said number transmission operation in arbitrary order; said wait means waits for receiving said authorization signal when the next operation registered in said registration means is said wait operation; said control signal transmission means transmits said number when the next operation in said registration means is number transmission operation; and said facsimile telecommunication means starts said facsimile telecommunication when all operations registered in said registration means have been completed.

8. A facsimile machine (11) for performing facsimile telecommunication with a host computer (12) through a telecommunication line (40), characterized by comprising:

42 call means for calling said host computer (12); wait means for waiting to receive a predetermined signal from said host computer (12) at a timing set by a user after calling by said call means; a control signal transmission means for transmitting a control signal for controlling said host computer (12) after said predetermined signal has been received; and a facsimile telecommunication means for starting said facsimile telecommunication after said control signal transmission means has transmitted said control signal.

9. A facsimile telecommunication system according to claim 8, wherein said control signal corresponds to a number input by a user, and said control signal transmission means is further characterized by comprising:

a storing means for storing said number input by said user; and a means for transmitting said number by retrieving said number from said storing means when said authorization signal has been received.

10. A facsimile machine (11) according to claim 9, further characterized by comprising:

a registration means for registering wait operation for said wait means and number transmission operation for said number by arranging said wait operation and said number transmission operation in arbitrary order, wherein; 43 said wait means waits for receiving said predetermined signal when the next operation registered in said registration means is said wait operation; said number transmission means transmits said number when the next operation registered in said registration means is said number transmission operation; and said facsimile telecommunication means starts said facsimile telecommunication when all operations registered in said registration means have been completed.

11. A host computer (12) for performing facsimile telecommunication with a facsimile machine (11) via a telecommunication line (40), characterized by comprising:

a preparation means for preparing to receive a DTMF signal from said facsimile machine (11) when called by said facsimile machine (11); a transmission means for transmitting a transmission authorization signal authorizing DTMF signal transmission to said facsimile machine (11); and a facsimile telecommunication means for performing facsimile telecommunication with said facsimile machine (11) after receiving said DTMF signal from said facsimile machine (11).

12. A host computer (12) according to claim 11, further characterized by comprising:

an image database for storing images provided to said facsimile machine (11); and 44 a retrieval means for retrieving a predetermined picture from said image database based on said DTMF signal received from said facsimile machine (11); wherein said facsimile telecommunication means has a means for transmitting said predetermined picture retrieved by said retrieval means to said facsimile machine (11).

13. A host computer (12) according to claim 11, further characterized in that said facsimile telecommunication means comprises:

a means for receiving an image from said facsimile machine (11), wherein said DTMF signal carries identification information for identifying a destination of said image received from said facsimile machine (11); a means for performing data telecommunication with multiple other computers (12); a means for selecting a specified host computer (12) from said multiple host computers (12) based on said DTMF signal; and a transfer means for transferring information indicating said destination and said image received from said facsimile machine (11) to said specified host computer (12).

14. A host computer (12) according to claim 13, further characterized by comprising:

a destination storage means for storing a personal identification number assigned to said destination facsimile machine (11) and a destination facsimile number indicating said destination facsimile machine (11) whereby a user of said facsimile machine (11) can transmit said image by arranging said destination facsimile number and said personal identification number to an identification number assigned to said user in advance, a means for receiving said personal identification number and said identification numbers by said DTMF signal from said user, and a means for retrieving said destination facsimile number indicating said destination facsimile machine (11) from said destination storage means using said personal identification number and said identification number received from said user; wherein said means for retrieving said destination facsimile number has a server identification retrieval means for retrieving said server which can transmit said image at the lowest price to said facsimile machine (11) using said destination facsimile number, and said transfer means has a means for transferring said image received from said destination facsimile machine (11) to said server retrieved by said server retrieval means.

15. A host computer (12) according to claim 14, further characterized by comprising: storage means for storing said identification number assigned to said user of said facsimile machine(li) in advance, and a receiving means for receiving said destination facsimile number indicating said destination facsimile machine (11) which will transmit said image, and said identification number for said user by said DTMF signal, wherein:

46 said retrieval means has an identification determination means for determining a host computer (12) which can transmit said image at the lowest price to said destination facsimile machine (11) using said destination facsimile number; and said transfer means has a means for transmitting said image received from said destination facsimile machine (11) to said host computer (12) determined by said determination means in such case that said identification number received from said receiving means is stored in said storage means.

16. A communications system comprising:

a facsimile machine connected to a computer wherein, transmission of data between said facsimile machine and said computer is controlled by control information stored in said system, said control information being transmitted to said computer in response to an authorization signal transmitted by said computer.

17. A facsimile telecommunication system substantially as hereindescribed.

47