JP2001177708A - Image transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transmitter such as a facsimile terminal that can reduce the communication time by avoiding communication with reception destination terminals at a lower communication rate than a substantial communication capability of the reception destination terminals in the relay broadcasting. SOLUTION: The image transmitter acting like a relay broadcasting transmitter compares a communication speed, a compression method and a resolution conducted with respect to a transmission source with communication results of the reception destinations and compares the communication speed, the compression method and the resolution conducted with respect to the transmission source with contents registered in the reception destinations (S6, S7) and the image transmitter transmits data to the reception destinations in parallel with reception of data from the transmission source. On the occurrence of the case where the transmitter has to make transmission at a lower communication speed than the substantial communication capability of the reception destinations (NO in S9), the transmitter receives image data from the transmission source and then transmits the data to the reception destinations without the transmission of data in parallel with the reception (S11). Thus, it is avoided that the transmitter makes communication with the reception destinations at a lower communication speed than the substantial communication capability of the reception destinations.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus and, more particularly, to a relay function capable of transmitting image data sent from a source apparatus to a destination apparatus. The present invention relates to an image transmission device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a facsimile apparatus having a relay function capable of transmitting image data received from a transmission source facsimile apparatus to a reception destination facsimile apparatus. Is temporarily stored in an image memory and then transmitted. This type of device has a plurality of independent lines in order to reduce the overall communication time, and transmits this image data to the destination in parallel with the reception of the image data sent from the source. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-88853).

[0003]

However, in the conventional relay facsimile apparatus as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-88853, a relay instruction to transmit this image data is received in parallel with the reception of the image data. When received, transmission is performed in parallel with reception without exception. If the transmission is performed in parallel with the reception, the relay facsimile apparatus has to transmit the image data to the destination facsimile apparatus at a transmission speed equal to or lower than the reception speed of the image data from the transmission source facsimile apparatus. Therefore, if the destination facsimile machine can communicate at a higher speed than the communication speed between the source facsimile machine and the relay facsimile machine,
The communication must be performed at a lower speed than the communication capacity of the original receiving facsimile machine.Therefore, compared to the conventional case where image data is stored in the image memory and then transmitted, the overall communication time is rather reduced. May be longer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and it is possible to perform communication with a receiving terminal at a lower speed than the original communication capability of the receiving terminal when performing relay broadcasting. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transmission apparatus capable of shortening the communication time by eliminating the communication time.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a receiving means for receiving image data from a source terminal, and a method for broadcasting image data received by the receiving means to a plurality of destination terminals. An image transmission apparatus having transmission means for transmitting, and having a function of relaying image transmission, a storage means for storing a record of communication with a destination terminal and / or a set value of a communication capability of the destination terminal; A comparing unit that detects an image transmission state with the terminal and compares the detection result with a communication result or / and a communication capability set value stored in the storage unit;
Switching means for switching a condition for transmitting image data to the destination terminal in accordance with the result of comparison by the comparing means.

In the above configuration, the result of the detection of the state of image transmission with the source terminal and the communication result or / and communication capability set value (hereinafter, representatively referred to as communication capability) with the plurality of destination terminals stored in the storage means are described. Is compared by the comparing means, and the condition for transmitting the image data to the receiving terminal is switched by the switching means in accordance with the result of the comparison. As a result, when transmitting to the destination terminal in parallel with the reception from the source terminal when performing a relay broadcast, the communication must be performed at a lower speed than the communication capability of the original destination terminal In this case, the image data is transmitted to the destination terminal after receiving the image data from the source terminal without performing the transmission in parallel. Conversely, if transmission can be performed at a speed corresponding to the original communication capability of the destination terminal even if transmission to this destination terminal is performed in parallel with reception from the source terminal, The data is transmitted to the receiving terminal in parallel with the reception of the data. By operating in this manner, when performing the relay broadcast, communication with the destination terminal at a lower speed than the original communication capability of the destination terminal is eliminated.

The comparing means compares the communication time with the source terminal with the communication time with the destination terminal, and determines whether there is a destination terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the source terminal. Can be checked.

If the result of the comparison by the comparing means indicates that there is a destination terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the source terminal, the broadcast transmission is performed in parallel with the reception from the source terminal. Can be started. As a result, the entire communication time can be reduced as compared with the case where image data is always stored in the image memory and then transmitted.

If the result of the comparison by the comparing means indicates that there is no destination terminal requiring a communication time longer than or equal to the communication time with the transmission source terminal, the data received from the transmission source terminal is stored in the storage means. , The broadcast transmission to the destination terminal can be started. As a result, when performing relay broadcasting, communication with the receiving terminal at a lower speed than the original communication capability of the receiving terminal is eliminated.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the image transmission apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a facsimile apparatus having a relay function capable of transmitting image data received from a transmission source facsimile apparatus to a reception destination facsimile apparatus. The facsimile apparatus has a key input unit 10 at the front of the upper surface for instructing setting of various modes of the apparatus and start of transmission. Behind the key input unit 10, a document feed tray 21 for transporting a document to be read to a scanner unit 6 (see FIG. 3) provided inside the apparatus, and for discharging the read document. A document discharge tray 22 and a recording paper discharge tray 23 for discharging the recording paper on which the received image data is recorded are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. A recording paper supply tray 24 for supplying the recording paper is provided.

Next, using a facsimile apparatus having a relay function according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a relay facsimile apparatus), image data transmitted from a source facsimile apparatus is relayed to a plurality of destination facsimile apparatuses. An outline of the processing in the case of performing will be described with reference to FIG. The transmission source facsimile machine A is installed in a place remote from the relay facsimile apparatus B and the reception destination facsimile apparatuses C1, C2, C3. Here, the source facsimile machine A is installed in Japan, and the relay facsimile machine B
It is assumed that the receiving facsimile machines C1, C2, and C3 are installed in the United States. Image data transmitted from a transmission source facsimile machine A installed in Japan is received by a relay facsimile apparatus B installed in the United States, and then a plurality of destination facsimile apparatuses C1 in the United States from this facsimile apparatus B. , C2, and C3.
The relay facsimile apparatus B is a facsimile apparatus having two lines and capable of performing transmission in parallel with reception of image data, and in which the reception destination performing transmission in parallel with reception is the facsimile apparatus C1. The image data is transmitted to the facsimile device C1 in parallel with the reception of the image data from the transmission source facsimile device A. Then, after the transmission to the facsimile apparatus C1, the image data is transmitted to the untransmitted destination facsimile apparatuses C2 and C3 using two lines. When the relay facsimile machine B has four or more lines, the image is simultaneously sent to all the destination facsimile machines C1, C2, and C3 in parallel with the reception of the image data from the source facsimile machine A. It is also possible to send data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the relay facsimile machine B. The facsimile apparatus B stores a CPU 1 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 2 for storing various control programs, and various data including a destination registration table 31 and a communication result storage table 32 (storage means in claims) to be described later. Control unit 30 comprising RAM 3
have. The CPU 1 also functions as comparing means and switching means in the claims. Also, the CPU 1
A scanner unit 6 for reading a transmission original, an image memory 7 for storing data read by the scanner unit 6, an image processing device 8 for encoding image data to be transmitted and decoding received image data, It comprises a printer unit 9 for printing received image data on recording paper, a key input unit 10 for inputting various instructions regarding transmission and reception, an LCD for displaying various information input by operating the key input unit 10, and the like. The display unit 11 is connected. Furthermore, the CPU 1 has NCUs 41 to 4n for controlling transmission and reception of data between the device and the communication lines L1 to Ln via the modems 51 to 5n.
Transmission means) is connected.

Next, using the relay facsimile apparatus B according to the present embodiment, the source facsimile apparatus A
Referring to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a communication procedure in the case where the image data transmitted from the MFP 1 is relay-broadcast to a plurality of destination facsimile apparatuses C1, C2, and C3. First, protocol A
In 1, the source facsimile machine A sends a CNG signal (call signal) to the relay facsimile machine B. Next, in the protocol A2, the facsimile machine B
The CED signal (called identification signal) is returned to the facsimile machine A. Further, in the protocol A3, the facsimile apparatus B transmits a DIS signal (digital identification signal), a CSI signal (called terminal identification signal), or an NSF signal (non-standard function identification signal) indicating the full capacity of the facsimile apparatus B. Send to device A. The facsimile apparatus A having received the DIS signal, the CSI signal or the NSF signal selects a function to be used for transmission from among the capabilities indicated by the DIS signal in the protocol A4, and outputs a DCS signal (digital command signal) indicating the selected function. Send it to facsimile machine B. However, if the signal received in the protocol A3 is an NSF signal, the facsimile apparatus A sends an NSS signal (non-standard apparatus setting signal) to the facsimile apparatus B in the protocol A4. Further, in the protocol A5, the facsimile machine A
Sends a TCF signal (training signal) for adjustment between modems to the facsimile apparatus B. Next, protocol A6
, When the adjustment of the modem is completed, the facsimile apparatus B sets the CF indicating that the reception of the image data is ready.
An R signal (reception preparation confirmation signal) is transmitted to the facsimile machine A.

The facsimile apparatus A that has received the CFR signal sends out the image data (PIX) encoded by the image processing apparatus 8 to the facsimile apparatus B according to the protocol A7. After the transmission of the image data is completed, the facsimile apparatus A transmits an MPS signal (multi-page signal) indicating that there is transmission of the next image data in the protocol A8.
To the facsimile machine B. The facsimile apparatus B that has received the MPS signal correctly receives the image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus A according to the protocol A7, and, if training is not required, transmits the MCF signal (message confirmation signal) according to the protocol A9. Send it to facsimile machine A. On the contrary,
If the image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus A is correctly received by the protocol A7 but training is necessary, the facsimile apparatus B sends an RTP signal (retrain acknowledgment signal) to the facsimile apparatus A in the protocol A9. Then, the processing after the protocol A4 is performed again. Further, when the image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus A by the protocol A7 cannot be correctly received and training is necessary, the facsimile apparatus B sends the RTN signal (retrain negative signal) to the facsimile apparatus A in the protocol A9. Send out and re-protocol A
4 and subsequent processes are performed. When the MCF signal is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus B in the protocol A9, the facsimile apparatus A transmits the remaining image data (PIX) to the facsimile apparatus B in the protocol A10, and after transmitting all the image data, the protocol A11. In, EOP
A signal (procedure end signal) is sent to the facsimile machine B. Further, the facsimile apparatus A uses the protocol A12
, When the MCF signal transmitted from the facsimile apparatus B is received, a DCN signal (disconnection command signal) is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus B in the protocol A13, and the communication with the facsimile apparatus B ends.

The facsimile apparatus B uses the protocol A
4, when the relay instruction is included in the DCS signal received, the communication capability of the facsimile machines C1 to C3 registered in the destination registration table 31 or the facsimile machine C1
A destination to be transmitted in parallel with the reception is selected with reference to the results of communication with C3. Here, in the case where the reception destination performing transmission in parallel with reception from the facsimile apparatus A is the facsimile apparatus C1, the above-described protocols A7 to A1
In parallel with the process of No. 3, the processes of the protocols B1 to B13 are simultaneously performed with the facsimile machine C1.

After the communication with the facsimile apparatus A and the facsimile apparatus C1 is completed, the facsimile apparatus B designates a plurality of reception destinations of the image data from the facsimile apparatus A, and the reception destination is the facsimile apparatus C.
2, C3, the protocol A7 to A
13 and image data is simultaneously transmitted to the facsimile machines C2 and C3 by using an empty line in the same procedure as in B1 to B13.

Next, the destination registration table 31 used for the relay broadcast processing by the relay facsimile apparatus B will be described with reference to FIG. Destination registration table 3
1, a communication capability including a communication speed, a compression method, and a resolution corresponding to the telephone number of each receiving facsimile machine can be registered. The communication speed, compression method, and resolution detected from the result of communication with the destination facsimile machine can be stored. The user can register the communication capability of each destination facsimile machine in the destination registration table 31 using the key input unit 10. Further, since the user can set default values of the compression method and the resolution of the destination registration table 31, if only the communication speed of the destination registration table 31 is registered and the compression method and the resolution are not registered, these are set. Are registered as the compression method and resolution. Further, if communication is performed with each of the destination facsimile devices that are registered destinations in the destination registration table 31 even once after the setting, the communication speed, compression method, and resolution of each of the destination facsimile devices based on the communication results are changed. It is stored in the communication result storage table 32.

Next, the flow of the relay broadcast processing by the relay facsimile apparatus B will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 in addition to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the relay facsimile machine B
And FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay facsimile machine B. As shown in FIG. 7, when the user completes the registration of the communication capability of each destination facsimile apparatus in the destination registration table 31 (S1), the CPU 1 of the relay facsimile apparatus B transmits the information from another terminal (facsimile apparatus A). Waits for an incoming dialing, and when an incoming call arrives (S2
YES), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for relay broadcast from the facsimile machine A (S3). If there is no instruction for relay broadcasting (NO in S3), normal reception processing is performed (S4). If there is an instruction for relay broadcasting (YES in S3), the communication result storage table It is confirmed whether or not there is a destination facsimile machine in which the communication result is stored in 32 (S5). As a result, if there is a destination facsimile machine in which the communication result is stored (YES in S5),
The CPU 1 detects the speed, compression method, and resolution of the communication performed with the facsimile machine A, and stores these values in the communication performance (speed) of the communication destination facsimile machine stored in the communication performance storage table 32. , Compression method and resolution) (S6). If the communication record with any of the destination facsimile apparatuses is not stored in the communication record storage table 32 (NO in S5), the speed, compression method, and resolution of the communication with the facsimile apparatus A are detected. Then, these values are compared with the communication capability (speed, compression method, resolution) of the destination facsimile machine to be communicated registered in the destination registration table 31 (S
7).

As a result of the comparison in S6 or S7, if there is a destination facsimile apparatus in which all of the communication speed, compression method, and resolution match (YES in S8), the CPU
In parallel with the reception of the image data from the transmission source facsimile device A, transmission starts to the reception destination facsimile device using an empty line (S10). But,
If there is no destination facsimile apparatus in which all of the communication speed, compression method, and resolution match (NO in S8), the communication result with the destination facsimile apparatus stored in the communication result storage table 32 or the destination registration table Reference is made to the communication capability of the destination facsimile apparatus stored in 31 to determine whether there is a destination facsimile apparatus whose transmission time to the destination facsimile apparatus is not shorter than the communication time with the facsimile apparatus A. Is determined (S9). The criteria at this time are as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication time is reduced as the communication speed increases.
The communication time is determined by the compression method: MH → MR → MMR → J
The resolution is shortened as you change to BIG, and the resolution is Super Fi
Shortened as ne → Fine → Standard changes. Based on these criteria, the communication time of any one of the communication speed, the compression method, and the resolution of the communication with the destination facsimile device is compared with the communication speed, the compression method, and the resolution of the communication performed with the facsimile device A. If there is something to be shortened, it is determined that the transmission time to the destination facsimile machine is shortened. As a result, if there is a destination facsimile machine in which the transmission time from facsimile machine B cannot be shorter than the communication time with facsimile machine A (YES in S9), CPU 1 sets facsimile machine A
In parallel with the reception of the image data from the facsimile apparatus, transmission to the destination facsimile apparatus is started using an empty line (S10). On the other hand, in S9, if the transmission time to all the receiving facsimile apparatuses is shorter than the communication time with the facsimile apparatus A (NO in S9),
The image data received from the facsimile machine A is stored in the RAM 3, and after the communication with the facsimile machine A is completed, the broadcast transmission to each destination facsimile machine is started (S1).
1). In this case, after receiving the EOP signal (procedure end signal) from the facsimile machine A, the CPU 1 sends a CNG signal (call signal) to each of the destination facsimile machines.

After the end of the transmission in S10 or S11, if there is an untransmitted destination facsimile machine (YES in S12), the CPU 1 uses the idle line at the highest communication speed that can be used with the destination. Notification transmission is started (S13). Then, after the communication with all the receiving facsimile machines is completed, a communication end process is performed (S1).
4) Terminate the communication.

As described above, according to the relay facsimile apparatus B of the present embodiment, when performing the relay broadcast, the speed, the compression method and the resolution of the communication with the source facsimile apparatus A, The communication speed, compression method, and resolution of the destination facsimile device are compared, and from these comparison results, it is determined whether there is a destination facsimile device that requires a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the transmission source facsimile device A. To detect. As a result, when there is no destination facsimile apparatus requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the source facsimile apparatus A, that is, the communication capability of all the destination facsimile apparatuses A
If the transmission speed is higher than the communication capability of the transmission source facsimile device A, the transmission speed to the reception destination facsimile device is changed in parallel with the reception from the transmission source facsimile device A. Therefore, communication with the destination facsimile apparatus is performed at a lower speed than the communication capability of the original destination facsimile apparatus, resulting in waste. Therefore, in such a case, after receiving the image data from the transmission source facsimile device A, transmission to the reception destination facsimile device is performed. On the other hand, if there is a destination facsimile apparatus that requires a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the source facsimile apparatus A, the reception facsimile apparatus A transmits to the destination facsimile apparatus in parallel with the reception from the source facsimile apparatus A. Can be transmitted at a speed corresponding to the original communication capability of the destination facsimile apparatus, so that transmission to the destination facsimile apparatus is performed in parallel with the reception of image data from the source facsimile apparatus A. .
As a result, the relay facsimile apparatus B does not communicate with the destination facsimile apparatus at a lower speed than the original communication capacity of the destination facsimile apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the communication speed of the communication with the transmission source facsimile device A, the compression method, the resolution, the communication speed of the reception destination facsimile device stored in the destination registration table, Although the compression method and the resolution were directly compared, the communication speed with the transmission source facsimile device A,
The communication time required for reception from the source facsimile machine A is determined by the compression method and resolution, and is required for transmission to the destination facsimile device by the communication speed, compression method, and resolution of the destination facsimile apparatus stored in the destination registration table. It is also possible to calculate the required communication times and compare these communication times. In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a G3 facsimile apparatus. However, the image transmission apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this.
It may be a G4 facsimile machine (digital facsimile machine) or an information processing terminal such as a personal computer. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the relay facsimile machine B and the destination facsimile machines C1, C
The case where C2 and C3 are located in foreign countries has been described, but it is needless to say that they may be located in Japan.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, when performing a relay broadcast, only when there is a destination terminal capable of transmitting without lowering the original communication capability, the transmission from the source terminal is performed. Since transmission is performed to the receiving terminal in parallel with the reception of the image data, communication with the receiving terminal at a lower speed than the original communication capability of the receiving terminal is eliminated, and the communication time can be reduced.

Further, the communication time with the transmission source terminal is compared with the communication time with the reception destination terminal, and it is determined whether or not there is a reception terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the transmission source terminal. Thereby, the above effects can be obtained accurately.

If there is a destination terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the source terminal, the broadcast transmission is started in parallel with the reception from the source terminal. Accordingly, the entire communication time can be reduced as compared with the case where image data is always stored in the image memory and then transmitted.

If there is no destination terminal requiring a communication time longer than or equal to the communication time with the source terminal, the broadcast data is transmitted to the destination terminal after storing the data received from the source terminal. Is started, it is not necessary to communicate with the receiving terminal at a lower speed than the communication capability of the original receiving terminal when performing the relay broadcast, so that the same effect as above can be obtained. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a process in a case where image data transmitted from a transmission source by the image transmission device is relay-broadcast to a plurality of reception destinations.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the image transmission device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication procedure in the case where the image transmission apparatus performs relay broadcasting in a G3 procedure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the storage contents of a destination registration table used for relay broadcast processing by the image transmission apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between speed, compression method, resolution, and communication time of the image transmission device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image transmission device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU (comparison means, switching means) 31 Destination registration table (storage means) 32 Communication result storage table (storage means) 41-4n NCU (reception means, transmission means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き The continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5C075 CB03 CD07 DD04 FF90 5K101 KK01 RR18 RR19

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A function of relaying image transmission, comprising: receiving means for receiving image data from a source terminal; and transmitting means for broadcasting the image data received by the receiving means to a plurality of destination terminals. Storage means for storing the result of communication with the destination terminal or / and the set value of the communication capability of the destination terminal; detecting the image transmission state with the source terminal; Comparing means for comparing with the communication result or / and communication capability set value stored in the storage means, and switching means for switching a condition for transmitting image data to a destination terminal in accordance with a comparison result by the comparing means. An image transmission device, characterized in that: 2. The comparing means compares the communication time with the source terminal with the communication time with the destination terminal, and determines whether there is a destination terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the source terminal. 2. The image transmission device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the image transmission is performed. 3. As a result of the comparison by the comparing means, if there is a destination terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the transmission source terminal, the broadcast is performed in parallel with the reception from the transmission source terminal. The image transmission device according to claim 2, wherein transmission is started. 4. As a result of the comparison by the comparing means, if there is no destination terminal requiring a communication time equal to or longer than the communication time with the transmission source terminal, data received from the transmission source terminal is stored in the storage means. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the transmission, the broadcast transmission to the destination terminal is started.