JP2002033897A - Image communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication apparatus that can reliably inform a user of the image communication unit about the occurrence of a communication error caused in the case of ring type communication even when the communication apparatus is so set not to output a communication result for general facsimile communications. SOLUTION: The image communication apparatus capable of performing ring type multi-casting registers a nickname, a sub address signal and a next destination in cross-reference with a ring type multi-casting number so as to switch an output operation of a communication result in the ring type multi- casting communications and an output operation of a communication result in the general facsimile communication as its control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication device, and more particularly to an image communication device capable of transmitting the same image to a plurality of destinations.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, when transmitting the same image to a plurality of destinations, one facsimile apparatus sequentially calls the plurality of destinations and transmits the same image. In addition, a communication result when facsimile communication is performed can be displayed, and a user of the facsimile apparatus can select whether to display the communication result.

[0003]

In the above conventional example, when transmitting the same image to a plurality of destinations, one facsimile apparatus sequentially transmits to a plurality of facsimile apparatuses. You have to bear the communication costs.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of ring type facsimile communication.

To solve these problems, ring-type facsimile communication for sequentially transmitting images in a ring as shown in FIG. 8 is conceivable. This ring-type facsimile communication is performed, for example, from the facsimile apparatus 2A to the facsimile apparatus 2B, or from the facsimile apparatus 2B to the facsimile apparatus 2
C, facsimile machine 2C to facsimile machine 2D,
Images are sequentially transmitted in a ring (ring-type communication) from the facsimile apparatus 2D to the facsimile apparatus 2E and from the facsimile apparatus 2E to the facsimile apparatus 2A.

In a facsimile apparatus capable of performing the ring-type facsimile communication, a user of the facsimile apparatus must use the communication result in order to prevent waste of recording paper due to outputting a communication result at the time of the facsimile communication. Is not displayed at all, not only the communication result in general facsimile communication (facsimile communication other than ring-type facsimile communication) but also the communication result in ring-type facsimile communication is not displayed. There is a problem that it is not possible to properly know that a communication error has occurred in ring-type facsimile communication.

[0007] In ring-type facsimile communication, it is considered that the user of each facsimile machine often wants to know the occurrence of a communication error as compared with general facsimile communication. The reason is that, in general facsimile communication, an image cannot be transmitted due to one occurrence of a communication error, for example, a single facsimile apparatus. However, in ring facsimile communication, for example, one communication error occurs. This is because, in many cases, a partner who cannot transmit an image becomes a plurality of facsimile apparatuses due to the occurrence, and it is considered that the influence caused by one communication error is large.

[0008] The above-mentioned problem is a problem that occurs in an image communication apparatus (for example, a videophone, a personal computer) other than a facsimile apparatus which can sequentially transmit images in a ring shape.

According to the present invention, even in a case where the communication result of general facsimile communication is set not to be output, the occurrence of a communication error when performing ring communication is ensured to the user of the image communication apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication device capable of notifying a user of the information.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus capable of ring-type broadcast transmission, which corresponds to a ring-type broadcast transmission number, registers a nickname, a sub-address signal, and a next destination. This is an image communication device that controls so as to change the operation of outputting a communication result in broadcast communication and the operation of outputting a communication result in general facsimile communication.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus F according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of S1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of information registered in the memory 18.

An NCU (network control unit) 2 connects to a terminal of the line in order to use the telephone network for data communication and the like.
It controls the connection of the telephone exchange network, switches to the data communication path, and holds the loop. Also, NC
U2 connects the telephone line 2a to the telephone 4 side (CML off) or connects the telephone line 2a to the facsimile apparatus FS1 side (CML on) under control from the bus 26.
Is what you do. In the normal state, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

The hybrid circuit 6 separates the transmission system signal and the reception system signal, sends the transmission signal from the addition circuit 12 to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and transmits the signal from the other party facsimile apparatus via the NCU 2. And sends it to the demodulator 8 via the signal line 6a.

The modulator / demodulator 8 is based on ITU-T Recommendation V. 8,
V. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.I. 29, V.I. 17, V.I.
34, a modulator and a demodulator that performs modulation and demodulation based on C.34.
Each transmission mode is designated by the control of the bus 26.
The modulator / demodulator 8 receives a transmission signal from the bus 26, outputs modulated data to the signal line 8a, receives a received signal output to the signal line 6a, and outputs demodulated data to the bus 26.
Circuit.

The calling circuit 10 inputs telephone number information in response to a signal from the bus 26, and sends DTMF to the signal line 10a.
Is a circuit that outputs the selection signal of

The addition circuit 12 inputs the information of the signal line 8a and the information of the signal line 10a, and adds the result of the addition to the signal line 12a.
a is a circuit for outputting to a.

The reading circuit 14 is a reading circuit that can read color information, and is a circuit that outputs read data to a bus 26. The recording circuit 16 is a circuit that can record color information and is output to the bus 26. This is a circuit for sequentially recording the recorded information for each line.

The memory 18 is a work memory (RA
M), and further stores raw information of read data, encoded information, and receives information, decoded information, etc.
This is a memory used for storing data via the bus 26.

In the memory 18, a nickname corresponding to the ring-type transmission number, which briefly indicates the transmission contents, a sub-address signal, and a next call destination in the case of ring-type transmission (ring-type broadcast transmission) are registered. Region is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the nickname "Kindergarten circulation", the subaddress signal "1234", and the next call destination "03-3111-2222" are registered corresponding to the ring type transmission number "01". Have been.

The memory 18 is provided with a memory for registering the telephone number of the own machine (the facsimile machine FS1). For example, as shown in FIG. 3111-1111 "are registered.

The memory 18 is provided with a memory area for registering an output operation or the like when outputting a communication result (communication result report). For example, as shown in FIG. One operation is registered among three operations of “always output a result”, “output a communication result when a communication error occurs”, and “do not output a communication result”.

The operation unit 20 includes one-touch dial, speed dial, numeric keypad, * key, # key, start key,
A stop key, a set key, a ring-type transmission start key, a registration key for the memory 18 and other function keys are provided, and the pressed key information is output to the bus 26.

The operation unit 20 is provided with a display unit for inputting and outputting information output to the bus 26.

A CPU (central processing unit) 22 controls the entire facsimile apparatus FS1, and executes a facsimile transmission control procedure. The control program of the CPU 22 is stored in the ROM 24.

The ROM 24 registers the nickname, subaddress signal, and next destination in the memory 18 corresponding to the ring-type broadcast transmission number in the facsimile apparatus FS1 capable of ring-type broadcast transmission, and stores the communication result in the ring-type broadcast communication. This is a memory storing a program for operating the CPU 22 so as to change the output operation of the communication 22 and the output operation of a communication result in general facsimile communication (facsimile communication other than ring-type facsimile communication).

The ROM 24 selects and executes one of an operation of constantly outputting a communication result in general facsimile communication, an operation of outputting only when a communication error occurs, and an operation of not outputting the communication result. When a communication error occurs in the ring-type broadcast communication, a memory storing a program for operating the CPU 22 so that the communication error is always output regardless of the selected operation. It is.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine FS1 will be described.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the facsimile machine FS1.

First, the CPU 22 provided in the facsimile apparatus FS1 initializes the memory 18 via the bus 26 (S2), and clears the display provided on the operation unit 20 via the bus 26. (S4) The CML is turned off via the bus 26 (S6).

Subsequently, information of the operation unit 20 is input via the bus 26, and it is determined whether or not input of information corresponding to the ring type transmission number is selected (S8), and the information is input. If it is determined that this is the case, information corresponding to the ring-type transmission number is input to the memory 18 via the bus 26, for example, as shown in FIG.
0).

If the input of the information corresponding to the ring type transmission number is not selected (S8), or if the input of the information corresponding to the ring type transmission number is completed (S10), the bus 26 , The information of the operation unit 20 is input, and it is determined whether or not the registration of the telephone number of the own device is selected (S12). When the registration is selected, via the bus 26, In the memory 18,
The telephone number of the own device is registered, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (2) (S14).

If the registration of the own telephone number is not selected (S12), or if the registration of the own telephone number has been completed (S14), the operation unit is connected via the bus 26. 20 is input, it is determined whether or not registration of an output operation of a communication result when the facsimile apparatus FS1 performs facsimile transmission is selected (S16), and an output operation of the communication result or the like is registered. 2 is selected, the communication result is not output to the memory 18 via the bus 26, for example, as shown in FIG.
And register. Instead of "not outputting a communication result", "always output a communication result" or "output a communication result when a communication error occurs" may be registered.

When the registration of the communication result output operation or the like is not selected (S16), or when the registration of the communication result output operation or the like is completed (S18), whether the facsimile transmission is selected is determined. Is determined (S
20) If facsimile transmission is not selected, it is determined whether facsimile reception is selected (S22).

On the other hand, when facsimile transmission is selected (S20), the CML provided in the NCU 2 is turned on via the bus 26 (S26), and it is determined whether or not ring type transmission is selected (S20). ).

When ring transmission is selected (S28), a call is made to "03-3111-2222" using the calling circuit 10 via the bus 26 (S4).
2) The pre-procedure is executed (S44). In this pre-procedure, the sub-address signal “1234” and the SID signal “0”
3-3111-1111 "to the destination facsimile machine which is the destination of the ring transmission (S44).

Subsequently, the image is transmitted (S46). The image to be transmitted is an image read by the reading circuit 14.

Next, the post-procedure is executed (S48), and the bus 2
6, the CML provided in the NCU 2 is turned off (S50), and it is determined whether or not a communication error has occurred in the ring type transmission (S52). Information of occurrence and Figure 2
The nickname shown in (1) is output as a communication result (S54) to prepare for the next facsimile transmission or the like. In addition,
As a form of the output, the communication result may be output by voice in addition to printing and outputting the communication result by the recording circuit 14.

On the other hand, when a communication error does not occur in the ring-type transmission (S52), the communication is performed via the bus 26 as shown in FIG.
As shown in (3), the communication result is output based on the operation of outputting the communication result registered in the memory 18 (S4).
0). For example, if "Always output the communication result" is registered in the memory 18, information indicating that the communication is successful is output. Then, it prepares for the next facsimile transmission and the like.

If ring-type transmission is not selected in step S 28, subsequently, via the bus 26.
Using the calling circuit 10, a call is sent to the designated destination facsimile machine (S30), and the pre-procedure is executed (S32).
The image to be transmitted is read using the reading circuit 14, and the read image is transmitted to the destination facsimile machine (S34).

Subsequently, a post-procedure is executed (S36), the CML provided in the NCU 2 is turned off via the bus 26 (S38), and as shown in FIG. The communication result is output based on the communication result output operation or the like registered in the memory 18 (S40). For example, if "not output the communication result" is registered in the memory 18, the communication result is not output. Then, it prepares for the next facsimile transmission and the like.

In step S20, if facsimile transmission is not selected, it is determined whether facsimile reception is selected (S22). If facsimile reception is not selected, other processing is performed (S24). Prepare for facsimile transmission and so on.

On the other hand, when facsimile reception is selected (S22), the CML provided in the NCU 2 is turned on via the bus 26 (S56), and the pre-procedure is executed (S58). In the pre-procedure, the sub-address signal and the S address are transmitted to the transmission source facsimile machine which is the transmission source of the image.
Information indicating that an ID signal can be received is notified.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a subaddress signal "1234" has been received from the transmission source facsimile machine (S60). If the subaddress signal "1234" has not been received, an image is received. Recording circuit 1
6 is recorded (S62), a post-procedure is executed (S64), and preparations are made for the next facsimile reception or the like.

On the other hand, when the subaddress signal "1234" is received (S60), the image is received in the memory (the transmitted image is stored in the memory 18), and the image received in the memory is recorded by the recording circuit 16 ( (S66), the post-procedure is executed (S68), and the CML provided in the NCU 2 is turned off via the bus 26 (S70).

Subsequently, the CPU waits for 60 seconds (S72), turns on the CML provided in the NCU 2 via the bus 26 (S74), and uses the calling circuit 10 via the bus 26 to set "03". -3111-2222 "(S4
2) The pre-procedure is executed (S44). In this pre-procedure, the subdress signal “1234” and the SID signal “03”
-3111-1111 "to the destination facsimile machine which is the destination of the ring transmission (S44).

Subsequently, the image is transmitted (S46). The image to be transmitted is an image received by the facsimile machine FS1 and stored in the memory 18.

Next, the post-procedure is executed (S48), and the bus 2
6, the CML provided in the NCU 2 is turned off (S50), and it is determined whether or not a communication error has occurred in the ring type transmission (S52). Information of occurrence and Figure 2
The nickname shown in (1) is output as a communication result (S54) to prepare for the next facsimile transmission or the like.

The output mode is the recording circuit 1
4 may output the communication result by voice or display the communication result on a display unit provided in the operation unit 20 in addition to printing the communication result. Outputting the communication result by voice or displaying the communication result on the display unit, rather than printing the communication result,
Costs can be reduced.

On the other hand, when a communication error does not occur in the ring transmission (S52), based on the output operation of the communication result registered in the memory 18 via the bus 26 as shown in FIG. And output the communication result (S
40). For example, if "Always output the communication result" is registered in the memory 18, information indicating that the communication is successful is output. Then, it prepares for the next facsimile transmission and the like.

According to the facsimile machine FS1, even if the user of the facsimile machine FS1 does not output a communication result in general facsimile communication, occurrence of a communication error in ring type facsimile communication is output. Therefore, the user of the facsimile machine FS1 can surely know the result of the ring communication.

[Second Embodiment] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the "relay facsimile apparatus" is replaced with the "earliest transmission apparatus" by the above-mentioned "relay facsimile apparatus". This is an example in which the relay facsimile apparatus outputs the occurrence of the transmission error based on the “operation of outputting a communication result in general facsimile communication” when the occurrence of a transmission error in communication is notified.

Note that the earliest transmission device is a facsimile device that has transmitted first in one ring type transmission. Further, the relay facsimile apparatus is a facsimile apparatus that relays the content transmitted by the earliest transmission apparatus. In addition, "the output operation of the communication result in the general facsimile communication" refers to the output operation of outputting the transmission result only when a transmission error occurs in the general facsimile communication, and the output operation of outputting the transmission result in the general facsimile communication. And an operation of outputting a transmission result when no transmission error occurs, and an operation of not outputting a transmission result in general facsimile communication.

The second embodiment will be described more specifically as follows.

The relay facsimile apparatus transmits the occurrence of a transmission error in the ring communication performed by the relay facsimile apparatus to the earliest transmission apparatus, and the relay facsimile transmission apparatus always transmits the communication result in general facsimile communication. When set to output, the relay facsimile apparatus always outputs a communication result in ring-type facsimile communication. The communication result includes a communication result when a transmission error occurs and a communication result when a transmission error does not occur.

Further, the relay facsimile apparatus transmits the occurrence of a transmission error in the ring communication performed by the relay facsimile apparatus to the earliest transmission apparatus, and the relay facsimile apparatus transmits the communication result of the general facsimile communication. In the case where the relay facsimile apparatus is set to output only the communication result when a transmission error occurs, the relay facsimile apparatus performs the communication result when the transmission error occurs among the communication results of the ring communication. Output only

Further, the occurrence of a transmission error in the ring communication performed by the relay facsimile apparatus is transmitted from the relay facsimile apparatus to the earliest transmission apparatus, and the relay facsimile apparatus transmits the communication result in the general facsimile communication. When the setting is made so as not to output, the relay facsimile apparatus does not output the communication result in the ring communication.

The facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment is
It has basically the same configuration as the facsimile machine FS1,
The program stored in the ROM 24 according to the second embodiment is different from the program stored in the ROM 24 according to the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation when the facsimile apparatus functions as the relay facsimile apparatus in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows only operations different from those of the first embodiment.

When a communication error occurs in the ring-type transmission (S52), subsequently, information from the information of the operation unit 20 is input via the bus 26, and the information indicating that the communication error has occurred is transmitted first. It is determined whether or not the setting is to notify the transmitting device (S82). If the notification is not set, information indicating that a communication error has occurred and FIG.
The nickname shown in (1) is output as a communication result (S54) to prepare for the next facsimile transmission or the like.

On the other hand, when the setting is made to notify the earliest transmitting device of information indicating that a communication error has occurred (S8).
2) Wait for 60 seconds (S86).

Next, the CML provided in the NUC 2 is turned on via the bus 26 (S88), and the facsimile apparatus notified by the SID signal using the calling circuit 10 via the bus 26. A call is made to the earliest transmitting device (S90).

Next, the pre-procedure is executed (S92), and information indicating that a communication error has occurred and the nickname shown in FIG. 2 (1) are transmitted to the earliest transmitting device as a communication result (S94). ).

Subsequently, a post-procedure is executed (S96), the CML provided in the NUC 2 is turned off via the bus 26 (S98), and a communication error occurs during transmission to the earliest transmitter. It is determined whether or not the communication has been performed (S100). If a communication error does not occur, preparation is made for the next facsimile transmission or the like.

On the other hand, if a communication error occurs during transmission to the earliest transmitting device (S100), information indicating that the communication error has occurred and the nickname shown in FIG. 2A are output as a communication result. (S54) to prepare for the next facsimile transmission.

According to the second embodiment, when a communication error occurs in the ring-type broadcast transmission and the relay facsimile apparatus notifies the earliest transmission apparatus of the communication error, the communication result of the general facsimile communication is Based on the output operation, the occurrence of the transmission error is output by the relay facsimile device, so if a communication error occurs during ring-type broadcast transmission, when the occurrence of this communication error is notified to the earliest transmission device, The user of the earliest transmitting device can process the communication error, and it is not essential for the user of the relay facsimile device to respond to the communication error. When a communication error occurs when notifying a communication error at the time of transmitting a report, a user of the relay facsimile apparatus can process the communication error.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, a communication result is obtained based on a transmission result when a facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side performs facsimile transmission. In this example, a communication result is output based on a reception result when a facsimile apparatus on the receiving side receives a facsimile, instead of outputting the communication result.

That is, one of an operation of constantly outputting a communication result in general facsimile reception, an operation of outputting only when a communication error occurs, and an operation of not outputting the communication result is selected and executed. When a communication error occurs in the facsimile reception of the ring-type broadcast communication, the fact that this communication error has occurred may always be output irrespective of the selected operation.

Although the above embodiments have been described by taking a facsimile apparatus as an example, an image communication apparatus capable of sequentially transmitting images in a ring shape, and an image communication apparatus other than the facsimile apparatus (for example, a television) Phone, computer)
The above embodiment can be applied to this.

[0072]

According to the present invention, the occurrence of a communication error when performing ring-type communication can be prevented by the image communication apparatus even when the communication result is not output when performing general facsimile communication. This has the effect that the user can be reliably informed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile machine FS1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of information registered in a memory 18;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile machine FS1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile machine FS1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile machine FS1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile machine FS1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of ring type facsimile communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FS1: facsimile device, 16: recording circuit, 18: memory, 20: operation unit, 22: CPU, 24: ROM.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image communication apparatus capable of ring-type broadcast transmission, comprising registration means for registering a nickname, a subaddress signal, and a next destination corresponding to a ring-type broadcast transmission number; communication in ring-type broadcast communication An image communication apparatus comprising: a communication result output operation control unit that controls so as to change a result output operation and a communication result output operation in general facsimile communication. 2. The communication result output operation control means according to claim 1, wherein the communication result output operation control means includes an operation for constantly outputting a communication result in general facsimile communication, an operation for outputting only when a communication error occurs, or an operation for not outputting the communication result. Means for selecting and executing any one of the operations. If a communication error occurs in the ring-type broadcast communication, the fact that this communication error has occurred is always output regardless of the selected operation. An image communication device, characterized in that the image communication device is a means for performing the operation. 3. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein a communication error occurs in one ring-type broadcast communication,
When notifying the image communication device that first transmitted the one ring type broadcast transmission that the communication error has occurred,
An image communication apparatus for outputting the fact that the communication error has occurred based on a communication result output operation in the general facsimile communication. 4. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device.