JP2000138812A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate delivery management as to whether or not a reply is made to a facsimile transmission document within a date of delivery by providing a means that informs a sender terminal of a fact of no reply, until the date of delivery when no reply is made until the date of delivery from a destination communication terminal. SOLUTION: An adaptor 1 acts as delivery management for many facsimile documents which were already sent and whose delivery is to be managed by a facsimile terminal 2 on behalf of the facsimile terminal 2. A system control means of this adaptor 1 always monitors delivery information, and a current date and time managed by a management means and discriminates whether there are documents reaching the date of delivery or those whose date of delivery expires based on the delivery information. When there is a document corresponding to the documents above, the adaptor 1 reads transmission image data corresponding to the delivery information and informs the facsimile terminal 1 of the fact of no reply until the designated date of delivery and transmits the data to the facsimile terminal 2 as facsimile data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device which is connected between a public line and a communication terminal device which performs facsimile communication and which receives image data received from the communication terminal device and which is designated as a communication terminal device. The present invention relates to a communication device such as an adapter device that performs facsimile transmission to a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a communication device such as a facsimile machine is used in business, the exchange of information is rarely completed only by the facsimile transmission, and in most cases, the information transmitted by the facsimile transmission is not transmitted. A reply is sent from the other party in some way. This is the same, for example, in a facsimile machine installed in a general home and a business facsimile machine installed in a company.

[0003] Among them, a facsimile machine which is placed in a company and is used for business is frequently used. For example, a material section which carries out a trial work task having a development department which develops products. In order to reduce the time required to transport slips and the like, facsimile machines are often used to order necessary items within limited development costs and short development deadlines.

[0004] In addition, since there are various suppliers,
A necessary facsimile number of a destination is registered in advance in a business-use facsimile apparatus having a large number of memories, so that the number input time at the time of facsimile number input can be reduced, and erroneous transmission due to an input error can be eliminated.

Conventionally, order data and inventory data are compared,
When the stock quantity is insufficient, there is a communication device that accumulates the shortage as order data and orders the outside (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-44627).

[0006]

However, in the above-described communication apparatus, for example, when an order is transmitted by facsimile, delivery time management for managing whether a response to the order is received by a predetermined delivery time is very complicated. Was a problem. For example, it takes a great deal of time to manage the delivery date of a reply to a facsimile transmission document for a large number of facsimile machines.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a delivery date management for managing whether or not a reply has been made to a facsimile transmission document made by a communication device such as a facsimile device by a predetermined delivery date. The purpose is to make it easy to perform.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is connected and connected between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication. Means for receiving transmission image data in which information is described; means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the transmission image data received by the means; Means for storing and managing the delivery date information and the image data for transmission in association with each other; means for creating image data for reply with the original document management number attached; and image data for transmission and image data for reply Means for transmitting facsimile from the communication terminal device to the designated communication terminal device via the public line, and receiving image data via the public line Means for determining whether the image data is the reply image data, and means for recognizing the document management number from the reply image data when the means determines that the image data is the reply image data. Means for comparing the document management number recognized by the means with the managed document management number, and determining whether or not the document management number is applicable; and when the means determines that the document management number is the corresponding document management number, Means for canceling the management of the delivery date information and the reply image data managed in accordance with the document management number, and facsimile transmitting the reply image data to the communication terminal device of the transmission source of the transmission image data; When the reply image data is not returned by the delivery date based on the delivery date information from the destination communication terminal device, the transmission image data is sent to the communication terminal of the transmission source. And facsimile transmission to the location, is provided with a means for notifying the answer is not in the delivery date from the communication partner terminal apparatus.

Means for intervening connection between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication, and receiving transmission image data in which a document management number and delivery date information are described from the communication terminal device; Means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the transmission image data received by the means; and a document management number, the delivery date information, and a predetermined page of the transmission image data recognized by the means. Means for storing and managing the image data in association with each other; means for creating reply image data to which the document control number is attached; and transmitting the transmission image data and the reply image data via the public line. Means for performing facsimile transmission from the communication terminal device to the designated communication terminal device, and receiving the image data via the public line. Means for determining whether or not the data is the reply image data; means for recognizing the document management number from the reply image data when the means determines that the data is the reply image data; Means for comparing the original manuscript management number with the manuscript control number managed above, and determining whether or not the manuscript is applicable. When the means determines that the manuscript is the applicable manuscript control number,
Means for canceling the management of the delivery date information and the reply image data managed in accordance with the document management number, and facsimile transmitting the reply image data to the communication terminal device of the transmission source of the transmission image data; When the reply image data is not returned from the destination communication terminal device by the delivery date based on the delivery date information, image data for a predetermined page of the transmission image data is faxed to the transmission source communication terminal device. It is preferable to provide a means for transmitting and notifying that there is no response from the communication terminal device of the other party by the delivery date.

Means for interposing and connecting between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication, and receiving from the communication terminal device transmission image data in which a document management number and delivery date information are described; Means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the transmission image data received by the means, and means for storing and managing the document management number and the delivery date information recognized by the means in association with each other;
Means for creating reply image data to which the document management number is attached; and a destination communication terminal device designated by the communication terminal device via the public line, for the transmission image data and the reply image data. Means for facsimile transmission, and means for determining whether the image data is the reply image data when image data is received via the public line, and the means for determining whether the image data is reply image data. Means for recognizing the document management number from the reply image data, and means for comparing the document management number recognized by the means with the managed document management number and determining whether or not the document management number is applicable. When it is determined by the means that the document management number is the corresponding document management number, the delivery date information and the reply image data managed in accordance with the document management number are managed. Means for facsimile transmitting the reply image data to the communication terminal device of the transmission source of the transmission image data, and the return image data from the communication terminal device of the destination by the delivery date based on the delivery date information. Means for creating a no-response notification report notifying that there is no response by the due date when no reply has been received, and transmitting the no-reply notification report created by the means to the communication terminal apparatus which has transmitted the image data for transmission. Preferably, means for facsimile transmission is provided.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter device which is an embodiment of the communication device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using the adapter device shown in FIG.

This communication system, as shown in FIG.
An adapter device 1 is connected between a terminal facsimile device (communication terminal device) 2 for performing facsimile communication and a general public network 3 such as PSTN or ISDN. It mediates facsimile communication with a destination facsimile device (communication terminal device) 4 connected via the general public network 3 and also transmits a facsimile document requested by the terminal facsimile device 2 according to the present invention to the destination facsimile device 4 And a delivery date management function for replying to the facsimile transmission from the facsimile machine 4 of the other party.

As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter device 1 includes an operation unit 11, a display / notification unit 12, a system control unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a communication control unit 15, an image memory unit 16, and a communication control unit (simulated control unit). A network function unit 17, a network control unit (NCU) unit 18 with a pseudo network function, and a network control unit (NCU) unit 19 are connected by a system bus 20 so that data can be exchanged.

The operation unit 11 exchanges data with the system control unit 13 via the system bus 20 and performs control for sending operation data input by various keys such as a keyboard to the system control unit 13. The display / notification unit 12 has a display such as an LCD and a speaker, and receives an instruction from the system control unit 13 to display various data such as operation information and sound a buzzer during various operations.

The system control unit 13 includes a CPU, a ROM,
And a microcomputer including a RAM and the like. The ROM stores therein a basic program relating to functions such as facsimile communication as a facsimile apparatus and a program for implementing a delivery date management function according to the present invention. By executing the programs in the apparatus, each section in the apparatus is controlled, and the delivery date management function according to the present invention is realized. Further, the communication control section 15 and the communication control section (pseudo network function) 17 are controlled to execute a sequence as a facsimile apparatus.

The image processing unit 14 compresses the encoded image data (raw data), expands the compressed image data, and processes the data by scaling or image data (raw data). Also, the image data for the reply and the image data for the report of the notification of no reply according to the present invention are created.

The communication control unit 15 controls the NCU unit 19 to connect to the public telephone network 3 such as a PSTN or ISDN of a subscribed telephone line, and controls facsimile communication with the facsimile machine 4 of the other party. It also has a modem, demodulates reply image data (this image data is modulated) received from the other party's facsimile machine 4, and further modulates image data for transmission to the other party's facsimile apparatus 4. And send. Then, it detects a pulse of the ringing voltage detected by the NCU unit 19, detects a DTMF signal, and makes a call at the time of facsimile transmission to the general public network 3.

The image memory unit 16 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and is a storage medium for storing normal image data received by facsimile, a plurality of transmission image data, and reply image data in a file format. have. The medium is not limited to a hard disk device, but may be a medium such as an SRAM module mounted on a base or a memory card inserted into a card slot.

The communication control unit 17 controls the NCU unit 19 with the pseudo network function, performs the same function as the general public network 3 in a pseudo manner, and performs direct facsimile communication with the terminal facsimile apparatus 2. It also has a modem, demodulates transmission image data (which is modulated) received by facsimile from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, and modulates the transmission image data when transmitting it to the destination facsimile apparatus 4. Send. Further, the NCU unit 19 with the pseudo network function controls the frequency and cadence of a calling signal (ringing) for calling the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, detects off-hook / on-hook, detects a DTMF signal, and detects a tone signal.

An NCU unit 18 with a pseudo network function directly connects the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, generates a call signal for calling the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, supplies a DC current, and sets an on-hook / off-hook state. Is detected. The NCU unit 19 is connected to the general public network 3 and performs line closing and ringing voltage detection.

That is, each of the above sections fulfills the function of the following means. Means for interposing and connecting between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication, and receiving image data for transmission in which a document management number and delivery date information are described from the communication terminal device; Means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the image data for transmission, and means for storing and managing the document management number recognized by the means, the delivery information and the image data for transmission in association with each other.

Means for creating reply image data to which the document management number is attached; and transmitting the transmission image data and the reply image data to the other party designated by the communication terminal device via the public line. Means for facsimile transmission to the preceding communication terminal device, means for determining whether or not the image data is the reply image data when image data is received via the public line, and reply image data by the means. When it is determined that the document management number has been set, the document management number is recognized from the reply image data.

Further, the document management number recognized by the means is compared with the managed document management number to determine whether or not the document management number is applicable, and the means is determined by the means to be the corresponding document management number. Is released, the management of the delivery date information and the reply image data managed in accordance with the document management number is released, and the reply image data is facsimile-transmitted to the communication terminal device that has transmitted the transmission image data. It is a means to do.

Further, when the reply image data is not returned from the destination communication terminal device by the delivery date based on the delivery date information, the transmission image data is facsimile-transmitted to the transmission source communication terminal device. Means for notifying that there is no response from the destination communication terminal device by the delivery date.

Means for storing and managing the document management number recognized by the means, the delivery date information, and image data for a predetermined page in the image data for transmission, and attaching the document management number Means for creating the reply image data, and means for facsimile transmitting the transmission image data and the reply image data from the communication terminal device to the designated communication terminal device via the public line. Good to do.

Further, when the reply image data is not returned from the destination communication terminal device by the delivery date based on the delivery date information, the image data for a predetermined page of the transmission image data is transmitted to the transmission source device. The communication terminal may be facsimile-transmitted to notify that there is no response from the destination communication terminal by the due date.

Further, when the image data for reply is not returned by the delivery date based on the delivery date information from the communication terminal device of the other party, a response-notification report is created to notify that there is no response by the delivery date. Preferably, the means and a means for facsimile transmitting the non-reply notification report created by the means to the communication terminal apparatus of the transmission source of the image data for transmission.

Next, a normal facsimile transmission procedure in the adapter device 1 will be briefly described. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure of facsimile transmission with the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 or the other party's facsimile apparatus 4 in the adapter apparatus 1.

Table 1 shows a calling tone signal (CNG), a called terminal identification signal (CED), a non-standard function identification signal (NSF), a called terminal identification signal (CSI), and a digital identification signal (DIS). ), Non-standard function setting signal (NS
S), a training signal (TRAINING), a training check signal (TCF), a reception preparation confirmation signal (C
FR), retraining (RETRAINING), image data (PIX), procedure end signal (EOP), message confirmation signal (MCF), and disconnection command signal (DCN)
Listed below are the main signal roles.

[0030]

[Table 1]

In the facsimile transmission in the adapter device 1, for example, when the adapter device 1 is on the receiving side, the facsimile reception from the facsimile device 4 of the other party
Upon receiving a call signal from the exchange side, the line is closed and call setting is performed (phase A). After the completion of the call setting, a pre-procedure for confirming functions and conditions is performed (phase B).

After the completion of the pre-procedure, image data is actually received and a message transmission procedure is performed (phase C). After the message transmission procedure is completed, a message post-procedure for notifying the end / confirmation of the message and notifying information of the subsequent message transmission is performed (phase D). Then, after completion of the post-message procedure, the line is disconnected and call recovery is performed (phase E).

Thus, when the adapter device 1 is on the receiving side,
The procedure for receiving a facsimile from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 proceeds in the same manner. Further, in the case where the adapter device 1 is the transmitting side and the facsimile transmission to the terminal facsimile device 2 or the other party's facsimile device 4 is performed, the procedure is reverse to the above-described procedure, and the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a dedicated format (predetermined format) of the transmission image data and the reply image data will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the dedicated format. FIG. 4A shows the dedicated format of the first page of the transmission image data, and FIG. 4B shows the dedicated format of the reply image data attached to the second page of the transmission image data. Is shown.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the first page of the transmission image data is a transmission note in a special format indicating that it is a document for implementing the delivery date management function according to the present invention. A recognition mark used by the apparatus 1 to recognize whether or not the image data should be subjected to the delivery date management function according to the present invention is provided at a position indicated by a broken line frame 21 (two places) in the figure.

Note that the recognition mark may be used also as a transmission header generally used at the time of facsimile transmission. Therefore, the recognition mark is described here also as a transmission header.

In this dedicated format, the adapter device 1 can identify the file management number (original management number) and the delivery date information by character recognition. A file management number entry section and a delivery date information entry section indicated by broken lines 22 and 23 in the figure are provided, and a file management number and delivery date information are entered in the respective entry sections. For information other than the file management number and the delivery date information, there is no need to particularly limit the entry position, and it is preferable that the user can arbitrarily create the entry position.

Next, the adapter device 1 creates reply image data for managing the delivery date when replying from the facsimile machine 4 of the destination, and adds the reply image data to the second page of the transmission image data. Send.

As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the facsimile machine 4 of the other party replies from the general public network 3, the adapter apparatus 1 is used to recognize that it is the reply image data. The recognition mark to be set
(At two places). Therefore, it is possible to recognize that the reply image data (image information) using the dedicated format has been received, based on the recognition mark in the image data received from the facsimile machine 4 of the other party.

The file management number is collated with the file management number, and a file management number with character recognition from the image data for transmission received from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 is returned in order to judge whether or not the file is subject to delivery date management. Is added to the position indicated by the broken line frame in the figure in the dedicated format of the image data for use. Then, a body part to be transmitted from the third page of the transmission image data to the destination is attached.

Next, a delivery date management function process in the adapter device 1 will be described. First, a facsimile transmission process of image data to a destination will be described. When using the delivery management function of the present invention, the adapter device of the present invention is connected between the general public network 3 and the facsimile machine. Here, facsimile transmission is performed from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 using the dedicated format described above.

The operation of the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 by the user may be a normal operation, and the user inputs the facsimile number of the facsimile apparatus 4 of the other party and presses the start key. Then, a call for facsimile transmission is made to the adapter device 1. At this time, the communication control unit (pseudo-network function) 17 of the adapter device 1 and the NCU unit 1 with the pseudo-network function
8 detects the off-hook of the terminal facsimile apparatus 2,
A dial tone is transmitted to the terminal facsimile device 2.

Terminal facsimile apparatus 2 detects the dial tone from adapter apparatus 1 and sends out the destination facsimile number by a DTMF tone signal. At this time, the adapter device 1 transmits the destination facsimile number notified from the terminal facsimile device 2 to the system controller 13.
Managed by.

Next, the adapter device 1 performs facsimile communication with the terminal facsimile device 2, so that the communication control unit (pseudo-network function) 17 and the NCU unit with pseudo-network function 18
Send a CED signal. Thereafter, facsimile transmission of the image data to be transmitted from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 to the adapter apparatus 1 is performed by a normal facsimile communication procedure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process in which the adapter device 1 performs facsimile transmission of the received image data from the terminal facsimile device 2 to the destination. As shown in this flowchart, the terminal facsimile device 2
In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 1, the adapter device 1 that has received the transmission image data from the CPU 1 stores the received transmission image data (reception image data) once in the image memory unit 16.
And the image processing of the received image data is performed by the image processing unit 14.

Proceeding to step 2, in order to determine whether or not the image data is to be subjected to the delivery date management function according to the present invention,
The image processing unit 14 determines whether there is a recognition mark in the received image data. If there is no recognition mark in the determination in step 2, the process proceeds to step 7 and the destination facsimile device 4 managed by the system control unit 13
Facsimile transmission is performed using the general public network 3.

On the other hand, if there is a recognition mark, the process proceeds to step 3 where the image processing unit 14 reads the file management number (original management number) and delivery date information (date and time indicating the response deadline) in the received image data. Perform processing.

The process proceeds to step 4 to determine whether the file management number and the delivery date information have been recognized. If the reading is not performed normally due to a reading error or the like, the delivery date management function according to the present invention is performed. Without processing
The process proceeds to step 7 to perform facsimile transmission using the general public network 3 to the facsimile machine 4 of the other party managed by the system control unit 13.

If it is determined in step 4 that the file management number and the delivery date information have been read normally, step 5
Then, the management means of the system control unit 13 manages the delivery date by associating the file management number, delivery date information, and received image data.

Further, proceeding to step 6, when a reply is received from the other party's facsimile machine 4, in order to check whether or not the received image data is subject to delivery date management managed by the management means, a reply-only format ( Reply image data) is created, and the process proceeds to step 7 where it is added to the transmission image data, and is transmitted by facsimile to the facsimile machine 4 of the destination using the general public network 3.

The facsimile transmission to the destination facsimile apparatus 4 using the general public network 3 is performed after all the received image data is received from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 or the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 And transmission while receiving the received image data.

Next, a description will be given of a process in which the adapter device 1 transmits facsimile received image data received from a destination to the terminal facsimile device 2 by facsimile. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting image data received from a partner in the adapter device 1 to the terminal facsimile device 2 by facsimile.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the adapter device 1 that has received the image data from the public network 3
The image data received in step 11 is temporarily stored in the image memory unit 7 and the image processing of the received image data is performed by the image processing unit 4.
Performed by Proceeding to step 12, in order to identify whether or not the received image data is reply image data attached to the image data for transmission for implementing the delivery date management function according to the present invention, the received image data is recognized at a predetermined position in the image data. The presence or absence of the mark is determined.

If there is no recognition mark, the flow advances to step 18 to perform facsimile transmission of the received image data to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 as it is. Step 12
If there is a recognition mark, it is determined that the image data is reply image data for which delivery date is to be managed, and the process proceeds to step 13 to read the file management number attached to a predetermined position in the reply image data. Perform recognition processing.

The process proceeds to step 14 to determine whether or not the file management number has been recognized. If the file management number has been read normally, the process proceeds to step 15 where the delivery date is set by the management means of the system control unit 13. Check with the managed file management number, Step 1
The process proceeds to step 6 to determine whether there is a corresponding file management number.

If there is no collation data, that is, if there is no corresponding file management number, step 1
Then, the process proceeds to step S8 to perform facsimile transmission of the reply image data to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2.

On the other hand, when there is collation data,
If there is a corresponding file management number, step 17
The program proceeds to step 18 where the delivery date information for which the delivery date is managed for the file management number is deleted from the memory by the management means and released, and the process proceeds to step 18 where facsimile transmission of the reply image data to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 is performed.

Next, the delivery date management function processing according to claim 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this process, the system control unit 13 constantly monitors the delivery date information and the current date and time managed by the management unit, and determines in step 21 whether or not there is a delivery date that has reached or has passed the designated delivery date based on the delivery date information. Judge.

If it is determined in step 21 that there is a condition that satisfies the condition, the flow advances to step 22 to read out transmission image data corresponding to the delivery date information and notify that there is no response by the designated delivery date. The facsimile transmission to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 is performed.

In this way, the delivery time management for many transmitted facsimile documents that must be managed on the terminal facsimile device 2 side can be performed by the adapter device 1, so that the delivery time management in the terminal facsimile device 2 can be performed. Work can be saved, and the efficiency of operations for handling facsimile documents can be improved.

Further, by connecting the adapter device 1 to the outside, the terminal facsimile device 2 does not need to be replaced or changed, and the delivery date management function can be easily added using the existing device as it is. can do.

Next, another delivery date management function process of the present invention will be described. When the above delivery date management function is implemented,
In the adapter device 1, the transmission image data received from the terminal facsimile device 2 must be stored over all pages, so that a large number of image memories are required and the device cost may increase.

Therefore, in the delivery date management function processing according to claim 2 of the present invention, by storing only the image data of the first page of the cover sheet without storing the image data of all pages, When used for notification when there is no response within the delivery date, it is possible to sufficiently inform the user of the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 of what the facsimile document was. Space can be saved.

Next, the delivery date management function processing according to claim 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the case of this delivery date management function, the system control unit 13
When the image data for transmission is received from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, only the image data of the first page of the image data for transmission is managed and stored in its own apparatus in association with the file management number and the delivery date information. .

In this process, the system control unit 13 constantly monitors the delivery date information and the current date and time managed by the management means, and determines in step 31 that the designated delivery date based on the delivery date information has been reached or the specified delivery date has passed. It is determined whether or not there is.

If it is determined in step 31 that the condition is satisfied, the flow advances to step 32 to read the image data of the first page of the transmission image data corresponding to the delivery date information, and to read the image data by the designated delivery date. A facsimile transmission is sent to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 to notify that there is no response.

As described above, even if the storage capacity of the image memory unit 16 in the adapter device 1 is not increased, it is possible to manage more facsimile documents for implementing the delivery date management function according to the present invention, and to reduce the cost of the device. Can be reduced.

Next, still another delivery date management function process of the present invention will be described. In the delivery date management function processing according to the third aspect of the present invention, when no response is received within the delivery date from the other party without storing the image data for one page, a response-less report for notifying the response is created and transmitted. So
Compared with the delivery date management function processing according to the second aspect, the capacity of the image memory unit 16 of the adapter device 1 can be further reduced, and the user of the terminal facsimile device 2 can receive a reply of a facsimile document about which matter. It is also possible to sufficiently inform whether or not there was a delivery date.

Next, the delivery date management function processing according to claim 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the case of this delivery date management function, the system control unit 13
When image data for transmission is received from the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, only the file management number and the delivery date information are associated with each other and stored and managed in the own apparatus as a management target.

In this process, the system control unit 13 constantly monitors the delivery date information and the current date and time managed by the management means, and determines in step 41 that the delivery date has reached or passed the designated delivery date based on the delivery date information. It is determined whether or not there is.

If it is determined in step 41 that the condition is satisfied, the flow advances to step 42 to determine that there is no answer by the designated delivery date for the transmission image data of the facsimile management number corresponding to the delivery date information. Is generated, and the non-reply notification report is transmitted to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 by facsimile.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the above-mentioned non-reply notification report. The non-response notification report includes the file management number so that the original (image data for transmission) can be recognized as a non-response notification, and the delivery date information that is the designated delivery date so that the delivery date can be understood. It is preferable to describe information such as the transmission date and time, which is the date and time of facsimile transmission to the destination facsimile machine 4.

Further, in order to perform the delivery date management, each terminal of the image data for transmission to the terminal facsimile apparatus 2, the image data of the first page of the transmission image data, and the report of the non-reply notification for the management information for which there is no response. It is preferable that the output timing to the facsimile apparatus 2 can be set such as how many days before or how many days after the designated delivery date (delivery date information).

As described above, even if the storage capacity of the image memory unit 16 in the adapter device 1 is not increased, it is possible to manage more facsimile documents for implementing the delivery date management function according to the present invention, and to reduce the cost of the device. Can be reduced.

[0075]

As described above, according to the communication apparatus of the present invention, it is managed whether or not a reply is made to a facsimile transmission document made by a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus by a predetermined delivery date. Delivery date can be easily managed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an adapter device that is an embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using the adapter device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a procedure of facsimile transmission with the terminal facsimile apparatus 2 or the facsimile apparatus 4 of the other party in the adapter apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a special format of the first page of the transmission image data received by the adapter device 1 shown in FIG. 1 from the terminal facsimile device 2 and a special format of the reply image data attached to the second page of the transmission image data. It is a figure showing an example.

5 is a flowchart showing a process of facsimile transmitting image data received from a terminal facsimile apparatus 2 to a destination in the adapter apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a process of facsimile transmitting received image data from a destination to the terminal facsimile device 2 in the adapter device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a delivery date management function process according to claim 1 of the present invention in the adapter device 1 shown in FIG. 1;

8 is a flowchart showing a delivery date management function process according to claim 2 of the present invention in the adapter device 1 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a delivery date management function process according to claim 3 of the present invention in the adapter device 1 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a non-reply notification report transmitted from the adapter device 1 shown in FIG. 1 to the terminal facsimile device 2 by facsimile.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Adapter device 2: Terminal facsimile device 3: General public network 4: Destination facsimile device 11: Operation unit 12: Display / notification unit 13: System control unit 14: Image processing unit 15: Communication control unit 16: Image memory Unit 17: Communication control unit (pseudo network function) 18: NCU unit with pseudo network function 19: NCU unit 20: System bus

Claims (3)

[Claims] And means for interposing and connecting between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication, and receiving transmission image data in which a document management number and delivery date information are described from the communication terminal device. Means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the transmission image data received by the means; storing the document management number, the delivery date information and the transmission image data recognized by the means in association with each other; Means for generating reply image data to which the document management number is attached, and wherein the transmission image data and the reply image data are designated from the communication terminal device via the public line. Means for facsimile transmission to the destination communication terminal device; and, when receiving the image data via the public line, determining whether or not the image data is the return image data. Means for rejecting, a means for recognizing a document management number from the reply image data when the means determines that the image data is reply image data, a document management number recognized by the means, and the managed document Means for checking the control number to determine whether or not the document number is applicable; and when the means determines that the document is the corresponding document control number, the delivery date information managed corresponding to the document control number and a reply Means for canceling the management of the image data for facsimile, facsimile transmitting the image data for reply to the communication terminal device of the transmission source of the image data for transmission, When the reply is not received by the delivery date based on the information, the image data for transmission is facsimile-transmitted to the communication terminal device of the transmission source, and the transmission image data is sent from the communication terminal device of the destination to the delivery date And a means for notifying that there is no answer to the communication device. 2. A means for interposing and connecting between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication, and receiving transmission image data in which a document management number and delivery date information are described from the communication terminal device. Means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the transmission image data received by the means; and a document management number, the delivery date information and a predetermined page of the transmission image data recognized by the means. Means for storing and managing the image data in association with each other; means for creating reply image data to which the document control number is attached; and transmitting the transmission image data and the reply image data via the public line. Means for facsimile transmission from the communication terminal device to the communication terminal device of the other party specified, and when the image data is received via the public line, the image data Means for judging whether or not the image data is for reply, means for recognizing a document management number from the image data for reply when the image data for reply is judged by the means, and a document recognized by the means Means for comparing the control number with the managed document control number and determining whether or not the document number is applicable; and when the means determines that the corresponding document control number is the corresponding document control number, Means for releasing the management of the delivery date information and the reply image data managed by facsimile, and facsimile transmitting the reply image data to the communication terminal device of the transmission source of the transmission image data, and the communication terminal device of the other party When the reply image data is not returned by the delivery date based on the delivery date information, the image data for a predetermined page of the transmission image data is transmitted to the communication terminal device of the transmission source. Means for transmitting by facsimile and notifying that there is no response from the destination communication terminal device by the due date. 3. A means for interposing and connecting between a public line and a communication terminal device for performing facsimile communication, and receiving transmission image data in which a document management number and delivery date information are described from the communication terminal device. Means for recognizing the document management number and the delivery date information from the transmission image data received by the means; means for storing and managing the document management number and the delivery date information recognized by the means in association with each other; Means for creating reply image data to which the document management number is attached; and a destination communication terminal device designated by the communication terminal device via the public line, for the transmission image data and the reply image data. Means for facsimile transmission to the apparatus; means for, when image data is received via the public line, determining whether or not the image data is the reply image data; Therefore, when it is determined that the reply image data, the means for recognizing the document management number from the reply image data, collating the document management number recognized by the means with the managed document management number, Means for judging whether or not the document management number is applicable, and when the document management number is determined by the means, the management of the delivery date information and the reply image data managed corresponding to the document management number is released. Means for facsimile transmitting the reply image data to the communication terminal device of the transmission source of the transmission image data; and the reply image data is returned from the destination communication terminal device by a delivery date based on the delivery date information. Means for creating a no-reply notification report for notifying that there is no response by the delivery date, Communication apparatus characterized by credit image data to the transmission source of the communication terminal apparatus and a means for facsimile transmission.