JP2001339585A - Facsimile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile terminal that is not affected by a limit of opening of a bulletin board even on the occurrence of capacity shortage of an image memory 8. SOLUTION: In the case of storing a facsimile message, a memory residual capacity as to whether or not the image memory 8 has an enough capacity to store the message to the image memory 8 is decided (step S1). When there is the memory capacity being a residual capacity reference value or over, the message is stored in the image memory 8 (step S2), and when the memory capacity is the residual capacity reference value or below, the message is stored in a mail server unit MS via a LAN communication control section 11 and a stored address is written in a RAM 4 (step S3). Thus, even when the storage capacity of the image memory 8 is small, a new bulletin board can be opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a bulletin board function using an F code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional facsimile communication, a facsimile message is simply transmitted or polled and received. In recent years, a facsimile communication function using a so-called F code has been proposed. I have.

[0003] Such an F code is described in ITU-T Recommendation T. Three
0, a sub address signal SUB, a selective polling signal SEP, a password signal PWD, SID
(Password at the time of using the sub-address signal), and a confidential communication function and a bulletin board function can be realized by using the F code.

[0004] This bulletin board function is provided by a facsimile machine.
By storing a facsimile message in advance in association with a predetermined identification number, or storing a facsimile message received with an identification number by SUB from the transmission source device in association with the identification number, the polling reception source A function of reading out a facsimile message stored corresponding to the notified identification number and performing polling transmission at the time of polling transmission accompanied by notification of the identification number by the SEP from the apparatus. Information can be stored or information can be read from a bulletin board.

[0005] The SID and PWD are used to restrict only those who know the password to use the bulletin board function, and are not essential for using the bulletin board function.

[0006]

However, in the bulletin board function using such an F-code box, facsimile messages must always be stored in a memory. When a large number of facsimile messages are accumulated, there is a problem that a memory capacity shortage occurs and a new bulletin board cannot be opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus in which the restriction on the establishment of a bulletin board is suppressed even when such a memory capacity shortage occurs.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is connected to a mail server device and is compliant with ITU-T Recommendation T.30. In a facsimile apparatus which stores a facsimile message in a memory with a bulletin board function conforming to No. 30 and stores the facsimile message in a mail server device when the remaining memory capacity is insufficient to store the facsimile message.

[0009] Thus, even when the remaining amount of memory is insufficient, a new bulletin board can be opened to improve convenience.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the remaining amount of the memory is restored to a predetermined amount or more, the facsimile message stored in the mail server device is moved to the memory and stored.

Thus, a quick response to a facsimile message read request can be made.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a facsimile message whose read frequency is equal to or higher than a preset reference value is preferentially stored in a memory.

Thus, a quick response to a read request for a facsimile message can be made.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a network configuration having a facsimile apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a terminal.

In FIG. 1, on the local area network LAN side, workstation devices WS1 to WS1 are provided.
n, mail server device MS and facsimile device 1 are LA
N.

The LAN is connected to the Internet via a router R, and includes a LAN including the facsimile machine 1.
The network terminal on the AN uses SMT over TCP / IP.
E-mail transmission can be performed using the P or MIME protocol.

The e-mail is received by POP (Po
(st Office Protocol) to access the mail server device MS.

The facsimile machine 1 is also connected to a public network, and the other facsimile machines 20a and 20 on the public network are connected.
b and the like can be transmitted and received.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of such a facsimile machine 1. The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a system control unit 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4, a scanner 5, a plotter 6, a clock circuit 7, an image memory 8, an operation display unit 9, an encoding / decoding unit 10, a LAN communication control unit 11, a modem 12, It has a network control unit 13, which transmits and receives data via a system bus 14.

The facsimile machine 1
And the F-code box control is also performed by the system control unit 2. These controls are performed using the RAM 4 as a work area according to a control program written in the ROM 3.

The ROM 3 is a read-only memory that stores control programs for the system control unit 2 to perform various controls.

The RAM 4 is a random access memory used as a work area of the system control unit 2, and is backed up by a backup circuit (not shown) so that the stored contents are retained even when the power is turned off.

The scanner 5 has 3.85 lines / mm, 7.7
This is for obtaining an image information by reading a document image at a predetermined reading line density such as book / mm, 15.4 book / mm or the like.

The plotter 6 is for recording and outputting the received image information according to its line density, and for recording and outputting (copying) the image information read by the scanner 5 according to its line density. .

The clock circuit 7 counts the current time, counts down a time constant set by the system control unit 2 and, upon timeout, notifies the system control unit 2 of the timeout.

The image memory 8 temporarily stores image information read by the scanner 5 as a file for memory transmission, or temporarily stores received image information as a file until it is recorded by the plotter 6. Used as a temporary storage area for storage.

The operation display unit 9 is provided with a numeric keypad, a start key, a one-touch dial key, and various other keys for designating a destination telephone number. And various messages are notified to the user.

The encoding / decoding unit 10 encodes and compresses the transmission image data using a predetermined encoding system such as an MH encoding system, an MR encoding system, and an MMR encoding system conforming to G3 facsimile. Data is MH-encoded, MR
It decodes and decompresses data in a corresponding predetermined decoding method such as an encoding method and an MMR encoding method.

The LAN communication control unit 11 controls the TCP / IP protocol in the LAN so that the system control unit 2 can transmit and receive e-mail according to each of the SMTP, MIME, and POP protocols over TCP / IP. It is for.

The modem 12 is a G3 facsimile modem for modulating data to be transmitted to the public network via the network control unit 13 and demodulating a signal received from the public network via the network control unit 13. The modem 12 also transmits a DTMF signal corresponding to the destination number.

The network control unit 13 is connected to the public network and detects the inversion of the line polarity, closes and releases the DC loop of the line, detects the release of the line, detects the dial tone, detects a tone signal such as a busy tone, 20PPS or 10P of the selection signal corresponding to the connection control with the line such as the detection of the call signal and the destination number
Transmission is performed by a dial pulse signal corresponding to the PS dial line.

The facsimile machine 1 supports facsimile communication accompanied by notification of an F code.

Next, a facsimile communication sequence accompanied by notification of SUB and SID will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the calling side is another facsimile machine 2
0a, 20b, etc., and the called side is the facsimile machine 1
Corresponding to

Facsimile machines 20a and 20b on the calling side
When a line is established by calling the facsimile machine 1 on the called side, a call is instructed with a calling tone CNG (phase F1), and the called side responds to the call with the called station identification signal CED (phase F1). F2).

In response to the digital identification signal DIS, the non-standard function identification signal NSF, and the called terminal identification signal CSI transmitted from the called side (phase F3), the calling side:
Digital transmission command signal DCS, non-standard function setting signal N
If the SS, the transmitting terminal identification signal TSI, and the subaddress are specified prior to the call origination, the subaddress signal SUB including the specified subaddress information in the information field is transmitted.

When the sub-address is specified and an ID number is further specified, an SID signal including the specified ID number in the information field is transmitted (phase F4).

Further, the facsimile machines 20a, 20 on the calling side
0b sets the communication parameters in the phase F4 and then performs the modem training at the set modem speed by the training check signal TCF (phase F4).
5) Wait for reception of the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR from the called side (phase F6), and transmit the image information as a facsimile message (phase F7).

The data transmitted as a facsimile message in the phase F7 is not limited to image information, but is a BFT (Binary Fi
leTransfer).

Facsimile machines 20a and 20b on the calling side
Sends a facsimile message in phase F7, sends out a procedure end signal EOP (phase F8), and when the called side responds with a message confirmation signal MCF (phase F9), sends out a disconnection command signal DCN (phase F9). Phase F10), facsimile transmission is completed.

As described above, by notifying the SUB and the SID as necessary at the time of facsimile transmission, the facsimile apparatus 1 on the called side can receive the facsimile message received from the calling side as the sub-address together with the identification number. When the information is managed in association with the ID information and is output to the recording paper by the plotter 6 in response to the take-out operation accompanied by the specification of the identification information, and further, the ID number is inputted, and the information coincides with the notified one. Can record a received facsimile message (confidential reception function).

Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 stores the received facsimile message in the image memory 8 as a file having the identification number notified as a sub-address as a file number, and is designated by a selective polling signal in a polling communication sequence described later. It has a so-called bulletin board function of reading and transmitting a facsimile message of the file number.

Next, the facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The polling communication sequence accompanied by the notification of SEP and PWD will be described. In the figure, the calling side corresponds to other facsimile machines 20a, 20b, etc.
The called side corresponds to the facsimile machine 1.

Facsimile machines 20a and 20b on the calling side
When a line is established by calling the facsimile machine 1 on the called side, a call is instructed with a calling tone CNG (phase F11), and the called side responds to the call with the called station identification signal CED (phase F11). Phase F12).

In response to the digital identification signal DIS, non-standard function identification signal NSF, and called terminal identification signal CSI sent from the called side (phase F13), the calling side sets the digital transmission command signal DTC, When a standard function command signal NSC, a calling terminal identification signal CIG, and an SEP number are specified prior to calling, a selective polling signal SEP including the specified SEP number in an information field is transmitted. .

When a password is further specified when the SEP number is specified, a PWD signal including the specified password information in the information field is transmitted (phase F14).

Then, a digital transmission command signal DCS, a non-standard function setting signal NSS, and a transmission terminal identification signal TSI transmitted from the called side are received (phase F15).

Further, the facsimile machine 1 on the called side sets the communication parameters in phase F15, performs modem training at the set modem speed by the training check signal TCF (phase F16), and receives from the calling side. After receiving the preparation confirmation signal CFR (phase F17), the image information is transmitted as a facsimile message (phase F18).

The data transmitted as the facsimile message in the phase F18 is not limited to the image information, but is a BFT (Binary F.) which is an extended function of the G3 facsimile.
ile Transfer).

When the facsimile machine 1 on the called side transmits a facsimile message in phase F18, it sends out a procedure end signal EOP (phase F19), and when the calling side responds with a message confirmation signal MCF (phase F).
20), and sends a disconnection command signal DCN (phase F2
1), the polling transmission is completed, and the calling facsimile machine 1 completes the polling reception.

As described above, by notifying the SEP and the PWD as necessary at the time of polling reception, the facsimile message of the file number designated as the SEP number is transmitted from the polling transmission source facsimile apparatus 1 to the polling reception source apparatus. It is also possible to restrict the unlimited polling of transmitted and facsimile messages by password.

As described above, by performing facsimile transmission with SUB notification and polling reception with SEP notification, the user of the bulletin board function of the other facsimile apparatuses 1 such as the facsimile apparatuses 20a and 20b can be used as needed. Facsimile messages can be stored and read out on the bulletin board.

Next, an incoming call processing procedure in the facsimile machine 1 will be described. The facsimile machine 1 has a network control unit 1
3 to monitor whether there is an incoming call via the public network, and if there is an incoming call via the public network, FIG.
Alternatively, a pre-transmission procedure based on the G3 facsimile protocol is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

Then, it is determined whether or not the SUB has been notified in the pre-transmission procedure. If the SUB has not been notified, it is further determined whether or not the SEP has been notified.

If there is no notification of SEP,
Normal communication processing, i.e., without receiving a facsimile message and recording it with a plotter 6 or reading a polling document set on a scanner 5 or image data obtained by reading a polling document or an SEP previously stored in an image memory 8 Sends a facsimile message for polling transmission.

On the other hand, when the SUB is notified, the facsimile message is received and stored in the image memory 8 as a file having the file number notified by the SUB, so that a new facsimile message is stored on the bulletin board.

When storing the facsimile message, the remaining memory capacity is determined in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. 5 to determine whether or not the image memory 8 has enough memory capacity to store the image message (step S1). ).

The remaining memory is determined based on whether or not it is larger than the remaining reference value. The remaining reference value is registered in the RAM 4 from the operation display unit 9 in advance.

If the memory capacity is equal to or larger than the remaining reference value, it is stored in the image memory 8 (step S).
2) If the remaining amount is less than the reference value, the LAN communication control unit 11
Stored in the mail server MS via the RAM and RAM
Then, the stored location is written in step 4 (step S3).

Thus, a new bulletin board can be opened even if the storage capacity of the image memory 8 is small.

On the other hand, if there is a notification of SEP, SE
The facsimile message of the file number designated by P is read from the image memory 8 and transmitted.

At this time, the reading of the facsimile message is performed from the image memory 8 or the mail server MS according to the procedure shown in FIG.

That is, it is determined whether or not the facsimile message to be read is stored in the image memory 8 (step S11). If the facsimile message is stored in the image memory 8, the corresponding facsimile data is read and transmitted (step S11). Step S12), and if it is stored in the mail server device MS, it is read from the mail server device MS and transmitted (step S13).

The procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed when there is a facsimile message read request. When a facsimile message is read from the mail server MS, it must be once read into the image memory 8 or the like. For a reason such as not being able to do so, appropriate time is required, and the responsiveness is reduced.

The remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 increases when an unnecessary facsimile message is deleted, and the frequency of reading differs depending on the facsimile message. For example, five facsimile messages with a low frequency of reading are sent to the mail server MS. When the facsimile messages that are stored and read out frequently are stored in the image memory 8, the convenience of the entire apparatus may be improved.

Therefore, assuming that the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 increases, the remaining capacity of the image memory 8 is periodically checked, and when the remaining memory capacity increases, the facsimile message stored in the mail server MS is deleted. It is preferable to transfer the image data to the image memory 8, so that it is possible to immediately respond to a request for reading a facsimile message.

When a facsimile message with a high frequency of reading is stored in the image memory 8 with priority, the number of times of reading is recorded in addition to the procedure in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows such a procedure, in which the number of times of reading out the read facsimile message is counted up (step S14). The read reference value is registered in the RAM 4 from the operation display unit 9 in advance, and the number of times of reading is also stored in the RAM 4.

The procedure for reading a frequently read facsimile message from the mail server apparatus MS to the image memory 8 can be exemplified by the procedure shown in FIG. 8, for example, and this procedure is executed periodically (at a fixed period of time).

That is, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is equal to or greater than the above-described remaining amount reference value (step S21). If the remaining amount is equal to or more than the remaining amount reference value, the facsimile message is sent to the mail server. It is determined whether or not it is stored in the device MS (step S22).

Then, such determination is continuously performed,
It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S2).
3) If the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined whether or not reading has been performed so far (step S24).

If reading has been performed, it is determined whether or not the number of readings is greater than the reading reference value. If so, the corresponding facsimile message is read from the mail server MS and stored in the image memory 8. .

As a result, facsimile messages with a high read frequency are stored in the image memory 8, and the convenience is improved.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining capacity of the image memory is determined, and if the remaining capacity is small, the facsimile message is stored in the mail server device. Therefore, a new bulletin board can be opened even when the remaining memory is insufficient.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the facsimile message stored in the mail server device is transferred to the image memory when the remaining amount of the image memory increases, so that it is possible to immediately respond to the read request. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the facsimile message whose read frequency is equal to or higher than the preset reference value is preferentially stored in the memory, so that a quick response to the read request of the facsimile message is achieved. And the convenience is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration applied to the description of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a facsimile communication sequence accompanied by notification of SUB and SID.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a polling communication sequence accompanied by notification of SEP and PWD.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a facsimile message.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a procedure for reading a facsimile message.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for counting up the number of times of reading when reading a facsimile message.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure for periodically transferring a facsimile message from a mail server device to an image memory.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2 System control part 3 ROM4 RAM 8 Image memory 9 Operation display part 11 LAN communication control part MS mail server device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/32 F term (Reference) 5B021 AA05 BB00 DD00 EE04 5C062 AA02 AA16 AA25 AA30 AA35 AB42 AC22 AC58 AE14 BA00 BC03 BD09 5C073 AA03 AA06 AB09 BB03 BB09 BC03 CD01 CD23 5C075 BB11 CA15 CA90 CD22 EE06 5K030 GA08 GA16 HA07 HB04 HC01 HD06 JT05 JT06 KA06 LD11 LD16 LD17 MA13 MB15

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail server connected to a mail server device.
TU-T Recommendation T. In a facsimile apparatus storing a facsimile message in a memory provided with a bulletin board function conforming to No. 30 and storing the facsimile message in the mail server apparatus when the remaining capacity of the memory is insufficient to store the facsimile message. A facsimile machine characterized in that: 2. The facsimile message stored in the mail server device is transferred to the memory and stored therein when the remaining amount of the memory is restored to a predetermined amount or more. Facsimile machine. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein facsimile messages whose read frequency is equal to or higher than a preset reference value are preferentially stored in said memory.