JP2002152444A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide facsimile equipment wherein input work of a circulation destination is reduced by performing transmission to a previously constructed circuit group, and circulation start from facsimile equipment except the circulation group can be prevented. SOLUTION: When the circulation group is constructed, facsimile equipment turning to a transmission origin of information for circulation destination registration transmits a password (included in information for circulation) which is formed in the equipment to other facsimile equipment (S5, S8), and makes each facsimile equipment store the password. In the case of circulation transmission to a circulation group which has been constructed, circulation transmission of a circulation image is performed by using a signal NSS to which the password is imparted (S7, S8). Facsimile equipment which has received the circulation image compares the previously registered password with a password which is transmitted together with the circulation image. When they match with each other, it is determined to be a normal circulation transmission.

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 circular transfer function for transferring a received circular image to a transfer destination indicated by the circular information when a circular image to which circular information is added is received. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a case where a certain facsimile apparatus of a certain transmission source transmits the same image information to a plurality of facsimile apparatuses of a transmission destination, in order to avoid an increase in communication cost of the facsimile apparatus of the transmission source. A facsimile apparatus having a circulation transfer function has been proposed. As a facsimile apparatus having a circulation transfer function, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-111575. A case will be described in which this technique is applied to four facsimile machines including a circulation source to perform a circulation transfer.

A facsimile machine of a circulation source transmits image information to be circulated and circulation destination list information to one of three facsimile machines (circulation destination) except for itself. Note that the circulation destination list information includes 4
The facsimile number of one facsimile machine is shown.
Then, the facsimile apparatus that has received the image information and the circulation destination list information has received the facsimile apparatus (circulation destination) to which the image information has not been transmitted among the facsimile apparatuses listed in the received circulation destination list information. The image information and the circulation destination list information are transmitted.

That is, in the above configuration, each of the circulation destination facsimile apparatuses sequentially transfers the received image information and circulation destination list information to the next circulation destination facsimile apparatus. For this reason, the burden of the communication cost in circulating the image information is shared between the respective facsimile apparatuses so as to be substantially equal.

[0005]

However, the above-described conventional configuration has the following problems. That is, when each of the facsimile apparatuses belonging to the communication network of the circulation transfer is to be a circulation source, it is necessary to create circulation destination list information in each facsimile apparatus. For this reason, for example, in the case where the above-mentioned circular transfer is performed to a large number of facsimile machines in a group within one company, it takes a great deal of time to create the circular destination list information.

If there is an input error when creating the circulation destination list information, and if the facsimile machine on the side that made the input error becomes the circulation source, the image information is stored in the facsimile device that should not be originally set as the circulation destination. There is a risk of being transferred. Conversely, a facsimile machine in which image information is not transferred due to an input error when creating the circulation destination list information may occur even though the facsimile machine is to be set as a circulation destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the work of inputting a circulation destination at the time of circular transfer, and to make an error in the circulation due to a mistake in input of the circular address at the time of circular transfer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus which can perform a reliable circulation transfer by eliminating a circular circulation omission and can perform a highly secure transmission in the circular transfer.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention enables a circulation group including a plurality of facsimile apparatuses to be constructed in advance, and a circulation group is constructed. In this state, circulation transmission is enabled by specifying the circulation group.

At the time of constructing the circulation group, the facsimile apparatus from which the transmission of the circulation destination registration information is started includes the facsimile numbers of all the facsimile apparatuses belonging to the circulation group and a group code indicating the circulation group. Input means for inputting a limit signal, a limit signal generating means for generating a limit signal corresponding to the group code, at least a fax number and a group code input by the input means, and a limit signal generating means And transmitting means for transmitting the circulation destination registration information including the restricted signal to the other facsimile apparatuses forming the circulation group.

In constructing the circulation group, the facsimile apparatus which receives the transmitted circulation destination registration information and becomes one of the facsimile apparatuses constituting the circulation group includes at least a group code indicating the circulation group. Receiving means for receiving the circulation destination registration information including the restriction signal corresponding to the group code, and storage means for storing the group code and the restriction signal included in the circulation destination registration information. It is characterized by:

Further, in a state where the circulation group is constructed, the facsimile apparatus which is a circulation start source of the image data to be circulated is provided with an input means capable of inputting a group code to be circulated and transmitted, and Means for reading a restriction signal corresponding to the group code input by the means from the storage means, and generating circulation information including the group code and the restriction signal; and the circulation information generating means. A transmission means is provided for adding the generated circulation information to the image data to be circulated and transmitting the information to another facsimile apparatus constituting the circulation group.

Further, a facsimile apparatus which receives image data being circulated in a state where a circulation group is constructed includes at least a group code indicating the circulation group and a restriction signal corresponding to the group code. Receiving means for receiving the image data to which the circulation information has been added; reading out a limit signal corresponding to the group code received by the receiving means from the storage means; Determining means for determining whether or not the limit signal read from the storage means coincides with the limit signal. If the limit signal received by the receiving means matches the limit signal stored in the storage means, Transmitting means for circulating and transmitting the image data to the facsimile apparatus of the next transmission destination by the receiving means when the determination is made; It is characterized by a door.

According to the above configuration, at the time of constructing the circulation group, at least the facsimile number and the group code input by the input means and the restriction signal generation from the facsimile machine which is the transmission source of the circulation destination registration information. The circulation destination registration information including the restriction signal generated by the means is transmitted to the other facsimile apparatuses constituting the circulation group.

The facsimile apparatus that has received the circulation destination registration information becomes one of the facsimile apparatuses that constitute the circulation group by storing the group code and the restriction signal in its own storage means.

Next, in a state where the circulation group has already been constructed by the above-described operation, the facsimile apparatus which attempts to transmit the circulation to this circulation group, after inputting the group code by the input means, responds to the group code. The circulating signal including the group code and the circulating signal is added to the image data to be circulated, and is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus constituting the circulating group.

Further, during circulation transmission to a circulation group already constructed, the facsimile apparatus which receives the image data being circulated recognizes the group code from the circulation information added to the received image data, and A limit signal corresponding to the code is read from the storage means. Then, it is determined whether or not the received limit signal matches the limit signal read from the storage means. If it is determined that the limit signal matches, the image data received by the reception means is transmitted to the next transmission destination. Circulate and send to the facsimile machine.

Thus, in the circulation group constituted by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when transmitting a circulation to the circulation group, the user only needs to input a group code and enter the fax number of another facsimile apparatus to which the circulation is transmitted. Circulation transmission can be performed without inputting.

At the time of circulation transmission in the circulation group, a restriction signal is added to the image data to be circulated in addition to the group code indicating the circulation group, and the restriction signal added to the received image data is transmitted to the receiving side. Is transmitted only when the received signal matches the limit signal stored in the storage means.

The restriction signal is automatically generated by the restriction signal generating means of the facsimile machine which is the source of the circulation destination registration information when the circulation group is constructed, and is directly transmitted by the user. Since it is not an input, the user does not recognize the restriction signal, and the restriction signal does not leak to the outside.

When a circulation transmission is started from a facsimile apparatus in the circulation group, the restriction signal is read from the storage means and added to the image data to be circulated, so that the user recognizes the restriction signal. It is possible to carry out circulation transmission even without it. On the other hand, if a facsimile machine outside the circulation group connects to the circulation group via the public line network and tries to start circulation transmission, it is not possible to add a restriction signal to the image data. It becomes impossible to make it.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the circular transmission from being performed by abusing the constructed circular group by the connection from the facsimile apparatus outside the circular group.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus is assumed to be an apparatus having a function as a group 3 (GIII) facsimile apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus includes a scanner unit 1, a printing unit 2, an operation display unit 3, an image memory 4, a parameter memory 5, a network control unit (NCU) 6,
It comprises a FAX modem 7, an encoding / decoding unit (DCR) 8, a control unit 9, a system memory 10, and an automatic password generation unit 11.

The scanner unit 1 reads a document image at a predetermined resolution and obtains image information for transmission. The printing unit 2 records and outputs image information received from another facsimile machine at a predetermined resolution. The operation display unit 3 is used for instructing various operations as a facsimile apparatus and inputting data, and includes a plurality of operation keys and a display.

The image memory 4 stores image information read by the scanner unit 1 (including image information subjected to predetermined image processing before transmission such as encoding processing) over a number of pages. Memory. In an apparatus having a function of storing received image information in a memory and outputting the image information, the received image information is also stored in the image memory 4.

The parameter memory 5 is a memory for storing various information unique to the facsimile machine. The parameter memory 5 includes a circulation information storage unit 5a for storing circulation information to be added to the circulation image.
It has.

The network control unit 6 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus to a public telephone line and has an automatic transmission / reception function. The FAX modem 7 has a group 3
A low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals, and a high-speed modem function mainly for exchanging image information (compressed image signals) for executing a facsimile modem function. Function (V.33
Modem, 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem, etc.)
It has.

The encoding / decoding section 8 encodes and compresses the image information to be transmitted, and decodes the received image information (encoded and compressed image signal) to restore the image signal before compression. .

The control unit 9 controls the main operation of the facsimile machine. The control unit 9 includes a scanner unit 1, a printing unit 2, an operation display unit 3, a network control unit 6, a FAX modem 7, and an encoding / decoding unit 8. By controlling the operation and storing and reading data in and from the image memory 4, the parameter memory 5, and the system memory 10, procedural processing for facsimile transmission including circular transfer is performed.

The system memory 10 is a memory for storing a control program executed by the control unit 9 and various data necessary for executing the control program. Further, the system memory 10 constitutes a work area when executing the control program.

The automatic password generation unit 11 automatically generates a password set for maintaining the confidentiality of the setting contents in the circulation transmission.

The scanner unit 1, printing unit 2, operation display unit 3, image memory 4, parameter memory 5, network control unit (NCU) 6, FAX modem 7, encoding / decoding unit (D
CR) 8, the control unit 9, the system memory 10, and the automatic password generation unit 11
The data transmission between these functional units is mainly performed via the system bus 12. The network controller 6 and the FAX modem 7 are connected so that direct data transmission is possible.

Next, a procedure when the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment performs transmission or reception will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, a signal exchanged between a facsimile machine on the transmitting side (hereinafter, referred to as a transmitting FAX) and a facsimile apparatus on the receiving side (hereinafter, referred to as a receiving FAX) will be described.

First, at the start of transmission, the transmitting FAX
Transmits the call signal CNG to the receiving-side FAX. When the receiving FAX recognizes the call signal CNG, it returns an incoming call response signal CED to the transmitting FAX. In addition, receiving FAX
Are a signal NSF indicating a function that is not standardized such as a circulation function (function of the present embodiment) and a confidential function but can be executed by the receiving FAX, a signal CSI indicating the telephone number of the receiving FAX, A signal DIS indicating the performance of the receiving FAX, such as the maximum receiving width and the maximum receiving width, is returned to the transmitting FAX.

Upon completion of reception of the four signals (CED, NSF, CSI, DIS) from the receiving FAX, the transmitting FAX is not standardized, such as a circulation function and a confidential function, but is not standardized. A signal NSS indicating a function executable in the FAX is transmitted to the receiving FAX. Further, the transmitting FAX transmits to the receiving FAX a signal TSI indicating the telephone number of the transmitting FAX, and a signal DCS indicating the performance of the transmitting FAX such as a transmission speed and a maximum receiving width.

Further, the transmitting-side FAX transmits a training signal Tr and a training check signal TCF,
Send to the receiving FAX. Then, when the training is completed, the receiving FAX returns a signal CFR indicating that the reception preparation is completed to the transmitting FAX.

After receiving the signal CFR from the receiving FAX, the transmitting FAX transmits an image data signal (image signal) PIX indicating an image to be transmitted to the receiving FAX. When the image to be transmitted extends over a plurality of pages, the transmitting FAX transmits the image data signal PIX for the first page, and then transmits the multi-page signal MPS to the receiving FAX. The receiving FAX receiving the multi-page signal MPS following the image data signal PIX returns a message confirmation signal MCF to the transmitting FAX.

Thereafter, an operation of transmitting the image data signal PIX and the multi-page signal MPS from the transmitting FAX to the receiving FAX, and an operation of returning the message confirmation signal MCF from the receiving FAX to the transmitting FAX are transmitted. It is repeated for the number of times smaller by one page than the number of pages of the image.

After transmitting the image data signal PIX indicating the image of the last page, the transmitting FAX transmits the last page signal EOP. The receiving FAX that has received the last page signal EOP returns a message confirmation signal MCF to the transmitting FAX. The transmission-side FAX that has received the message confirmation signal MCF transmits a line close signal DCN to the reception-side FAX, and disconnects the line.

Next, the function of circular transfer in the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

At the time of circular transfer, as shown in FIG. 4, in a circular group formed by a plurality of facsimile apparatuses F1 to Fn, an arbitrary facsimile apparatus belonging to this group is transmitted to all facsimile apparatuses F1 to Fn in the circular group. On the other hand, images to be circulated (circulated images) are sequentially transferred in a specific order. In the present embodiment,
The circulation group is constructed in advance, and in a facsimile apparatus that starts circulation, a code that specifies the circulation group (hereinafter, referred to as a group code).
, The circulation operation can be started without inputting the fax number of the facsimile of the circulation destination.

Here, a process for constructing the circulation group will be described. When constructing a circulation group, first, the circulation destination registration information is created in one facsimile apparatus (for example, the facsimile apparatus F1) in which the circulation group is to be constructed. The circulation destination registration information includes a code indicating a circulation transfer, a group code, and facsimile apparatuses F1 to Fn belonging to the circulation group.
Facsimile machine F that started all telephone numbers and circulation
1, a code indicating a circulation order, a password for preventing the start of circulation from a facsimile machine outside the group, and the like.

The information for registering the circulation destination created by the facsimile machine of the circulation source is a signal NSS of the non-standard function on the transmission side.
And sequentially transferred to the other facsimile machines F2 to Fn belonging to the circulation group. In addition, the facsimile apparatus that has received the circulation destination registration information extracts the circulation information to be used when the facsimile apparatus itself becomes a circulation starting point from the circulation destination registration information and stores the information therein.

That is, each of the facsimile machines F2 to Fn
When the circulating destination registration information is received, the circulating information is read from the received circulating destination registration information, and the read circulating information is stored in the circulating information storage unit 5 a in the parameter memory 5. Thereafter, the transfer destination facsimile apparatus (of the F2 to Fn indicated by the circulation destination registration information)
The transmission destination registration information is transmitted to a facsimile machine to which the transmission destination registration information has not been transmitted.

When the above operation is executed in all of the facsimile machines F2 to Fn forming the circulation group, the circulation destination registration information is transmitted to the facsimile machine F1 as a starting point. Thereby, in the facsimile machine F1, it is confirmed that the circulation information is stored in all of the facsimile machines F1 to Fn belonging to the circulation group.

Therefore, hereinafter, the facsimile apparatus F
All of the information items 1 to Fn can use the circulation information required when the circulation starts, without manually inputting the data. Further, the facsimile machine serving as the starting point of the circulation transmits the circulation information as data in the signal NSS.

To circulate the circulation destination registration information to construct a circulation group, a circulation test image, which is a test image, can be transmitted at the same time.
Further, instead of the circulation test image, a circulation image which is an image to be circulated can be transmitted together.

Hereinafter, the contents of the signal NSS will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, an NSS code indicating the signal NSS and a CCI
Three types of codes, TT members code and maker code, are set. Also, after these codes,
(Facsimile information field) is set. The non-standard functions (confidential transmission and circulation transmission) described above are indicated as codes in the FIF. The circulation destination registration information or the circulation information is also indicated as a code in the FIF.

That is, the codes in the FIF are relay transmission (transmission processing for relaying data received from another facsimile apparatus and transferring the data to another facsimile apparatus, and circular transmission are also included in the relay transmission). , A code indicating transmission of a circulation, a group code for identifying a circulation group, and a circulation starter which is a telephone number of a facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a circulation starter) serving as a starting point of the circulation transfer. A number (for example, the telephone number of the facsimile machine F1 and is used to finally return the end of the circulation transfer to the circulation starter), a password, and all the facsimile machines F1 to Fn belonging to the circulation group Telephone number (circulation number)
Is set. The group code and the password among the codes in the FIF correspond to the circulation information.

The password is not determined and input by the user, but is automatically generated by the automatic password generation unit 11 when the circulation group is constructed. For this reason, the setting contents of the password are not recognized by the user. The reason why the facsimile machine automatically generates the password will be described later.

When receiving the signal NSS having the above code configuration, the facsimile apparatuses F1 to Fn
From the FIF, and collates the extracted circulation information with the circulation information stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a of the parameter memory 5. By this collation processing, the signal N
If it is confirmed that the circulation information extracted from the SS FIF matches the circulation information stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a, the facsimile machine on the receiving side issues a regular circulation request. It determines that there is, and forwards it to the next facsimile machine.

The circulation information may further include information on a change in circulation order in addition to the group code and the password as described above. That is, every time the circular transfer is performed, the code for changing the circular order is set in the FIF, so that the circular order can be changed. If the circulation order can be changed, the priority of the circulation order in the
It can be changed according to the contents of the image of the circulation, and the usability is improved.

In addition, when there is a busy facsimile machine in the circulation transfer, the order of circulation to the busy facsimile machine can be changed to a backward order.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the transmission process related to circulation transmission or circulation destination registration transmission. In the present embodiment, the transmission process related to the circulation transmission is the circulation transmission of the circulation image in the state where the circulation group is constructed, and the transmission process related to the circulation destination registration information constructs the circulation group. This is a transmission process (circulation destination registration transmission) for circulating the circulation destination registration information. In the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment,
Circulation transmission and circulation destination registration transmission can be performed simultaneously.

In the transmission process shown in FIG. 1, first, a circulation transmission for circulating a circulation image to a circulation group already constructed, and a circulation for circulating circulation destination registration information when the circulation group is constructed. It is determined which of the transmission processing is to be performed among transmission, circulation transmission for simultaneously circulating the circulation image and the circulation destination registration information, and other transmission (S1, S3, S6). This can be determined, for example, by the presence / absence of operation of the circulation transmission key and the circulation destination registration transmission key on the operation panel.

If the transmission is a circulation transmission for a circulation group (YES in S1), a signal NSS to which information for circulation is added is created in a facsimile apparatus that performs transmission processing (S2), and the circulation transmission is performed using the signal NSS. Processing is performed (S8). Note that the circulation information given in the signal NSS created in S2 is used for collation in the facsimile apparatus that has received the circulation image,
The circulation information stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a of the facsimile machine performing the transmission process is referred to.

If the transmission is for transmission of the circulation destination registration information (YES in S3), the circulation test image (the image used only for the circulation test) is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus performing the transmission processing. ) Is created (S
4) In addition, various necessary data are displayed on the operation display unit 3.
The signal NS which is inputted in and sets the circulation destination registration information
S is created (S5). In the facsimile machine,
A circular transmission process is performed using the signal NSS created in S5 (S8).

In the signal NSS, a password is set as a part of the circulation information. This password is not set by the user, but is generated by the password automatic generation unit 11 as, for example, a random number string. Applied to signal NSS. The user cannot recognize what kind of password the password generated by the automatic password generation unit 11 is.

When the circulation transmission to the circulation group and the transmission for circulating the circulation destination registration information are performed simultaneously (YES in S6), the circulation destination registration information is set in the same processing as in S5. The obtained signal NSS is created (S7), and a circulation transmission process of the circulation image is performed using the signal NSS (S8).

If the result in S6 is NO,
Since this is a transmission process other than the circulation transmission, a transmission process corresponding to the transmission content is executed (S9).

Next, the main operation of the reception process related to circulation transmission will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the receiving process related to circular transmission, first,
Detection of a call signal CNG indicating an incoming call occurs (S11),
The receiving-side facsimile apparatus that has detected the incoming call returns an incoming call response signal CED to the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus (S1).
2). Further, the receiving facsimile apparatus outputs the signal NSF,
The signal CSI and the signal DIS are returned to the transmitting facsimile machine (S13).

Next, a signal NSS, a signal TSI, a signal DCS, a training signal Tr, and a training check signal TCF are transmitted from the transmitting facsimile apparatus, and the receiving facsimile apparatus receives these signals (S14). Note that the various signals exchanged in S11 to S14 have already been described with reference to FIG. 3, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-mentioned receiving facsimile apparatus, this reception is performed in the circulation transmission of the circulation image for the already constructed circulation group (circulation reception), and in the circulation destination registration transmission of the circulation destination registration information when the circulation group is constructed. (S15, S22, S3) is the reception process (circulation destination registration reception), the simultaneous reception of the circulation reception and the circulation destination registration reception, and the other reception processes.
0, S38). Note that this determination is made by analyzing the code included in the signal NSS received in S14. For example, the signal NSS illustrated in FIG.
In S, since the code indicating the circulation transmission is added, it is determined that the reception is the circulation transmission.

If it is a circulation reception (YES in S15), a memory reception processing of the circulation image is performed (S16). Next, when this reception is a reception by the circulation starter (S
At step S17, a circulation transmission result report is printed based on the circulation reception information included in signal NSS (S).
18). This allows the user who has started circulation to know that the circulation transmission has been completed.

On the other hand, if the reception is not the circulation starter (NO in S17), a signal NSS to which the circulation reception information is added to create a signal indicating that the circulation reception has been completed by itself is created (S19). A circulation transmission process is performed to the next facsimile machine using the signal NSS (S20). Further, S1
The circulation image received at 6 is read out from the memory and printed (S21).

In the case of circulation destination registration reception (when a code indicating circulation destination registration transmission is added to the signal NSS: YES in S22), a memory reception process of the circulation test image is performed (S23). . Then, the received signal N
Read the information for circulation from the information for circulation destination registration in SS,
It is stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a of the parameter memory 5 (S24). At this time, the line number of the own device included in the received circulation destination registration information is deleted, and only one line is stored as the transfer destination line number in the circulation information storage unit 5a.

If this reception is received by the circulation starter (YES in S25), a circulation destination registration transmission result report is printed based on the circulation reception information included in the signal NSS (S26). .

On the other hand, if the reception is not the circulation starter (NO in S25), a signal NSS to which the reception information of the circulation information is added is created to indicate that the circulation destination registration reception has been completed by the own device. (S27). Then, based on the circulation destination registration information included in the received signal NSS,
The circulation test image received in the memory is transmitted to the next transfer destination together with the signal NSS created in S27 (S2).
8). Further, the circulation test image received in the memory is erased so that unnecessary images are not left in the image memory 4 (S2).
9).

In the case of simultaneous reception of circulation reception and circulation destination registration reception (when a code indicating circulation transmission and a code indicating circulation destination registration transmission are added to the signal NSS:
(YES in S30), the circulation image
The circulation destination registration information is received at the same time (S31).

Next, S24 when receiving the circulation destination registration
Similarly to the above, the information for circulation is read and stored from the information for circulation destination registration in the received signal NSS (S32). And
When this reception is received by the circulation starter (S33)
YES), the circulation transmission result report and the circulation destination registration transmission result report are printed based on the circulation reception information and the circulation destination registration information included in the signal NSS (S34).

On the other hand, if the reception is not the circulation starter, the reception information of the circulation reception information and the circulation destination registration information is added in order to indicate that the circulation reception and the circulation destination registration reception have been completed by the own device. To create a signal NSS (S3
5). Then, based on the circulation destination registration information included in the received signal NSS, the circulation image received in memory is
It is circulated and transmitted to the next transfer destination together with the signal NSS created in 35 (S36). Next, the circulation image received in the memory in S31 is printed (S37).

If the determination in S30 is NO, the receiving process is not related to circulation transmission, and a receiving process corresponding to the received content is executed (S38).

In the above description, the transmission of the circulation destination registration information at the time of constructing the circulation group is performed by circulation transmission. However, the transmission of the circulation destination registration information may be performed by a simultaneous broadcast method. is there. The main operation of the transmission process when the transmission method for transmitting the circulation destination registration information is performed by the simultaneous broadcast method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the transmission process shown in FIG. 7, first, a circulation transmission for circulating a circulation image to a circulation group already constructed, and a circulation destination registration information at the time of constructing the circulation group. It is determined which transmission processing of the circulation transmission is performed (S41, S44). This can be determined, for example, by the presence / absence of operation of the circulation transmission key and the circulation destination registration transmission key on the operation panel.

If the transmission is a circulation transmission for a circulation group (YES in S41), a signal NSS to which circulation information is added is created in a facsimile apparatus that performs transmission processing (S42), and a circulation image is formed using the signal NSS. (S43). The processes in S42 and S43 are similar to the processes in S2 and S8 in FIG.

If the transmission is for transmission of the circulation destination registration information (YES in S44), the transmission test image (the image used only for the circulation test) is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus performing the transmission processing. ) Is created (S
45) Further, various necessary data are input on the operation display unit 3 and the signal N in which the circulation destination registration information is set.
An SS is created (S46). In the facsimile apparatus, a broadcast transmission process of the circulation destination registration information and the circulation test image is performed using the signal NSS created in S46 (S40).
47). In S45 to S47, the transmission process is performed with the circulation destination registration information added to the circulation test image. However, the circulation test image is not necessarily required, and only the circulation destination registration information may be transmitted. .

In the signal NSS created in S46, a password is set as a part of the circulation information, as in S5 in FIG. 1, but this password is not input and set by the user. , Password automatic generation unit 1
At 1, for example, it is generated as a random number string and added to the signal NSS. Automatic password generation unit 1
The user cannot recognize what kind of password the password generated in 1 is.

If the determination in S44 is NO, the transmission process is not related to circulation transmission, and a transmission process corresponding to the transmission content is executed (S48).

Next, in the case where the transmission method for transmitting the circulation destination registration information is performed by the simultaneous broadcasting method, the main operation of the reception processing relating to the circulation transmission will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the receiving process for circular transmission, first,
Detection of a call signal CNG indicating an incoming call occurs (S51),
The receiving-side facsimile apparatus that has detected the incoming call returns an incoming call response signal CED to the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus (S5).
2). Further, the receiving facsimile apparatus outputs the signal NSF,
The signal CSI and the signal DIS are returned to the transmission-side facsimile machine (S53).

Next, a signal NSS, a signal TSI, a signal DCS, a training signal Tr, and a training check signal TCF are transmitted from the transmission-side facsimile apparatus, and the reception-side facsimile apparatus receives these signals (S54). Note that the various signals exchanged in S11 to S14 have already been described with reference to FIG. 3, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the receiving-side facsimile apparatus, this reception is performed in the circulation transmission of the circulation image to the already constructed circulation group (circulation reception), and in the circulation destination registration transmission of the circulation destination registration information when the circulation group is constructed. (S55, reception of circulation destination registration information), reception of the circulation destination registration result by the facsimile machine that is the transmission source of the circulation destination registration information, and other reception processes are determined. S62, S67). This determination is made by analyzing the code included in the signal NSS received in S54. For example, in the signal NSS illustrated in FIG. 5, a code indicating circulation transmission is added. It is determined that the reception is for circulation transmission.

If it is a circulation reception (YES in S55), a memory reception process of the circulation image is performed (S56). Next, when this reception is a reception by the circulation starter (S
If YES at 57, a circulation transmission result report is printed based on the circulation reception information included in the signal NSS (S).
58). This allows the user who has started circulation to know that the circulation transmission has been completed.

On the other hand, if this reception is not the circulation starter (NO in S57), a signal NSS to which circulation reception information is added to indicate that the circulation reception has been completed by itself is created (S59). A circulation transmission process is performed to the next facsimile machine using the signal NSS (S60). Further, S5
The circulation image received in step 6 is read from the memory and printed (S61). The processing in S55 to S61 is the same as the processing in S15 to S21 in FIG.

In the case of circulation destination registration reception (signal N
If a code indicating the circulation destination registration transmission is added to the SS: YES in S62), a memory reception process of the circulation test image is performed (S63). Next, the circulation information is read from the circulation destination registration information in the received signal NSS and stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a of the parameter memory 5 (S64). At this time, the line number of the own device included in the received circulation destination registration information is deleted, and only one line is stored as the transfer destination line number in the circulation information storage unit 5a.

Next, a signal NSS to which the reception information of the circulation information is added is created to indicate that the circulation destination registration reception has been completed by the own device, and the circulation starter included in the received signal NSS is generated. Based on the number, the circulating test image received from the memory is returned to the transmission source facsimile machine together with the signal NSS that has been created (S65). Then, the circulation test image received in the memory is deleted so that unnecessary images are not left in the image memory 4 (S66).

When the facsimile machine which is the source of the circulation destination registration information receives the circulation destination registration result (YES in S67), the received signal NSS includes the reception information of the circulation destination registration information. In the facsimile machine that is included and serves as the transmission source of the circulation destination registration information, the memory reception processing of the circulation test image is performed (S68), and then the circulation destination registration transmission result report is printed (S6).
9). Then, the circulation test image received in the memory is deleted so that unnecessary images are not left in the image memory 4 (S70).

If the determination in S67 is NO, the receiving process is not related to the circulation transmission, and the receiving process corresponding to the received content is executed (S71).

Here, the circulation transmission processing (S8, S20, S28, S36, S36) in FIG. 1, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG.
43, S60) is a flowchart showing details of the signal exchange. 6 and 8 (S16, S23, S31, S56, S6).
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the signal exchange in (3, S68). FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of signal exchange of the broadcast transmission processing (47) in FIG.

The circulation transmission process shown in FIG. 9 shows the process in the transmission-side FAX. In the transmission-side FAX, first, the next transmission destination data is read from the parameter memory 5 (S81), and the next transmission destination FAX is read. An outgoing call is made (the transmitting FAX transmits a calling signal CNG to the receiving FAX) (S
82).

When the receiving FAX recognizes the call signal CNG, the receiving FAX returns an incoming call response signal CED to the transmitting FAX. Therefore, the transmitting FAX determines that there is an incoming call response by receiving the signal CED (YES in S83). . Further, the receiving FAX returns the signal NSF, the signal CSI, and the signal DIS to the transmitting FAX, so that the transmitting FAX receives these signals (S84).

In the transmitting FAX, after the reception of the above four signals (CED, NSF, CSI, DIS) from the receiving FAX is completed, the signal NSS, the signal TSI, the signal DC
S, the signal Tr, and the signal TCF are transmitted to the receiving-side FAX (S85).

Thereafter, transmission of image data from the transmitting FAX to the receiving FAX is started, and when the transmission of the image data is completed (YES in S86), the transmitting FAX transmits a final page signal EOP to the receiving FAX ( S87). Since the receiving FAX that has received the last page signal EOP returns the message confirmation signal MCF to the transmitting FAX, the transmitting FAX receives the message confirmation signal MCF (YES in S88), and then receives the line close signal DCN. Is transmitted to the local FAX (S89), and the line is disconnected (S9).
0).

Next, the memory reception processing shown in FIG. 10 shows the processing in the reception-side FAX. This memory reception processing is performed by the training check signal TC shown in FIG.
The communication has been completed up to the communication of F
Sends a signal CFR to the sending FAX (S91),
The sending FAX is notified that the receiving FAX is ready for receiving. After the transmission of the signal CFR, transmission of image data from the transmitting FAX to the receiving FAX is started, and the receiving FAX stores the received image data in a memory (S92).

When the reception FAX completes receiving the image data (detection of the signal EOP: S93), the reception FAX
X sends out a signal MCF to the transmitting-side FAX (S94).
The transmitting FAX that has received the signal MCF returns the line close signal DCN to the receiving FAX and returns it to the receiving FAX.
After receiving N (YES in S95), the line is disconnected (S96).

Next, the broadcast transmission processing shown in FIG. 11 shows the processing in the transmission FAX. Sender FAX
First, a destination list input in advance and used for creating circulation destination registration information is read (S101). And
The data of the destination (next destination data) located at the head of the destination list is read (S102), and a call (transmission of the signal CNG) is made to the read next destination data (S102).
103).

The transmitting-side FAX transmits a signal CE which is an incoming call response.
D is received from the receiving FAX (YE in S104).
S), and a signal NSF,
The signal CSI and the signal DIS are received (S105). Next, the transmitting FAX transmits the signal NSS, the signal TSI, and the signal D
The CS, the signal Tr, and the signal TCF are transmitted to the receiving FAX (S106).

When the training is completed, the transmitting FAX transmits a circular test image (S107). When the transmission of the circular test image is completed, the final page signal E is transmitted.
The OP is transmitted to the receiving-side FAX (S108).

Reception side F that has received last page signal EOP
The AX returns the message confirmation signal MCF to the transmission-side FAX.
After receiving the CF (YES in S109), a line close signal DCN is sent to the receiving-side FAX (S110), and the line is disconnected (S111).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not transmission has been completed to all the destinations listed in S101. If there is a destination that has not been transmitted (NO in S112), the above-described S
The operations of 102 to S111 are repeated for all the destinations in the destination list. Then, when the transmission has been completed to all the transmission destinations in the transmission destination list, the operation is completed (S
YES at 112).

In the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment described above, a circulation group is constructed for a plurality of circulation destinations determined in advance, and the facsimile apparatuses of all the facsimile apparatuses belonging to the circulation group. The number is stored in advance in each facsimile machine. The facsimile number stored in each facsimile apparatus may be the facsimile number of all the facsimile apparatuses belonging to the circulation group. The fax number of only the facsimile machine that is the destination may be stored.

In the facsimile apparatus, when a circulation is to be transmitted to a circulation group that has been constructed in advance, the user can start circulation only by instructing the circulation group. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to input the fax numbers of all the transmission destinations at the time of starting the circulation, so that the user's work can be greatly reduced, and circulating errors or omissions due to erroneous input of the circulation destination fax number can be prevented. Can be.

However, as described above, in a facsimile apparatus in which a circulation group is constructed in advance, there is a risk that this circulation group may be misused. That is, the facsimile machines are connected by an unspecified number of facsimile machines via a public line network.
When a circular image to which a code related to circular transmission is added from a facsimile apparatus outside the circular group is sent to one facsimile apparatus in the circular group, all the circular groups in the circular group are transmitted from the facsimile apparatus receiving the circular image. It will be circulated and transmitted to the device. Further, the communication cost in that case becomes a burden on the facsimile machines in the group.

In order to solve the above problem, it is conceivable to add a password to the data to be circulated in addition to the code indicating the circulation group. However, in the case where the password is directly input by the user, Of course, the user who uses the facsimile machine in the circulation group needs to recognize the password. If the user recognizes the password, there is a possibility that the password leaks to the outside. If the password leaks to the outside, the above-mentioned misuse of the circulation group cannot be prevented.

Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment, when a circulation group is constructed, that is, when circulation information of circulation destination registration is circulated, a password added to the circulation destination registration information is stored in the facsimile apparatus. The password generated by the automatic password generation unit 11 is used so that the user does not recognize the password.

The password is stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a of each facsimile device in the circulation group in association with the code indicating the circulation group by circulation of the circulation destination registration information.

In the above configuration, when a facsimile apparatus in the circulation group becomes the circulation starter, the code indicating the circulation group and the corresponding password are read out from the circulation information storage unit 5a in the signal NSS. Therefore, each facsimile apparatus that has received the signal NSS determines that it is a normal circulation transmission.

On the other hand, when a circulation image is sent from a facsimile machine outside the circulation group, no password is added even if a code indicating the circulation group is added to the signal NSS of the circulation image. , Signal NS
Each facsimile apparatus that has received S can determine that it is not a legitimate circular transmission.

As a result, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately determine the circulation transmission from outside the circulation group, and to prevent the circulation transmission that misuses the circulation group.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment makes it possible to construct a circulation group composed of a plurality of facsimile apparatuses in advance, and in the state where the circulation group is constructed, Circulating transmission is possible by designating.

When the circulation group is constructed, the facsimile apparatus transmits the facsimile numbers in all the facsimile apparatuses belonging to the circulation group and the circulation group in order to become a transmission start source of the circulation destination registration information. An operation display unit 3 as input means for inputting the group code shown, an automatic password generation unit 11 as a restriction signal generation means for generating a password (restriction signal) corresponding to the group code, and at least the operation display unit The circulation test image or the circulation image (image data) to which the circulation destination registration information including the fax number and the group code input in 3 and the password generated by the password automatic generation unit 11 is added. Transmitting means for transmitting to another facsimile machine which constitutes the circulation group; And a network control unit 6 and the FAX modem 7 of Te.

When the circulation group is constructed, the transmitted circulation destination registration information is received and becomes one of the facsimile apparatuses constituting the circulation group. Control device 6 as a receiving means for receiving a circulation test image or a circulation image (image data) to which circulation destination registration information including a group code indicating the group code and a password (limit signal) corresponding to the group code is added. And a facsimile modem 7 and a circulation information storage unit 5a as storage means for storing a group code and a restriction signal included in the circulation destination registration information.

Thus, in the circulation group constituted by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when transmitting the circulation to the circulation group, the user only needs to input the group code, and the facsimile number of another facsimile apparatus to which the circulation is transmitted is set. Circulation transmission can be performed without inputting.

At the time of transmitting the circulation destination registration information, the facsimile apparatus which is the transmission source of the circulation destination registration information transmits the circulation method or the simultaneous broadcast method to the other facsimile apparatuses forming the circulation group. It is possible to transmit the circulation destination registration information by any of the above methods.

In each of the facsimile machines constituting the circulation group, in addition to the group code and the password corresponding to the group code, the facsimile apparatus is used when transmitting the circulation to the circulation group. It is necessary to store the fax number of the facsimile machine. However, the facsimile numbers of the other facsimile apparatuses stored in each facsimile apparatus need not necessarily be the facsimile numbers of all the facsimile apparatuses constituting the circulation group.

That is, with regard to the circulation transmission for the circulation group, if the circulation order is specified, each facsimile apparatus only needs to store the fax number of the facsimile apparatus to be the next transmission destination. .
Of course, in each facsimile machine, the facsimile numbers of all the facsimile machines constituting the circulation group may be stored.

Further, in the state where the circulation group is constructed, the facsimile apparatus is capable of inputting a group code for transmitting the circulation in order to become a circulation start source of the image data to be circulated. And a password (restriction signal) corresponding to the group code input by the operation display unit 3 is read out from the circulation information storage unit 5a, and a password including the group code and the restriction signal is read out. A control unit 9 as circulation information generating means for generating information, and other facsimile devices forming the circulation group by adding the circulation information generated by the control unit 9 to the circulation image (image data). Network control device 6 and facsimile as transmission means for transmitting to device
And a modem 7.

In order to receive the circulated image data in a state where the circulation group has been constructed, the facsimile apparatus includes at least a group code indicating the circulation group and a restriction corresponding to the group code. A network controller 6 and a FAX modem 7 as receiving means for receiving a circulation image (image data) to which circulation information including a signal is added, and the network controller 6 and a FAX
A password (restriction signal) corresponding to the group code received by the modem 7 is read from the circulation information storage unit 5a, and a determination unit determines whether the received password matches the read password. Control unit 9
When the control unit 9 determines that the received password matches the password stored in the circulation information storage unit 5a, the circulation image received by the network control unit 6 and the fax modem 7 is determined. The network control device 6 and the FAX modem 7 as transmission means for circulating and transmitting to the facsimile machine of the next transmission destination.

Here, the password is automatically generated by the automatic password generation unit 11 of the facsimile machine which is the transmission source of the circulation destination registration information at the time of constructing the circulation group. Since the password is not entered, the user does not recognize the password, and the password does not leak to the outside.

When the circulation transmission is started from the facsimile apparatus in the circulation group, the password is read from the circulation information storage unit 5a and added to the circulation image to be circulated. Circulation transmission can be performed even if it is not recognized. On the other hand, if a facsimile machine outside the circulation group connects to the circulation group via the public line network and attempts to start circulation transmission, it is not possible to add a password to the circulation image, so the circulation transmission is executed. It becomes impossible.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the circular transmission from being performed by abusing the constructed circulation group by the connection from the facsimile apparatus outside the circulation group.

[0125]

As described above, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention enables a circulation group including a plurality of facsimile apparatuses to be constructed in advance, and in a state where the circulation group is constructed, Circulation transmission is enabled by designation.

At the time of constructing the circulation group, the facsimile machine which is the transmission start source of the circulation destination registration information includes the facsimile numbers of all the facsimile machines belonging to the circulation group and the group code indicating the circulation group. Input means for inputting a limit signal, a limit signal generating means for generating a limit signal corresponding to the group code, at least a fax number and a group code input by the input means, and a limit signal generating means And transmitting means for transmitting the circulation destination registration information including the restricted signal to the other facsimile apparatuses forming the circulation group.

Further, at the time of constructing the circulation group, the facsimile apparatus which receives the transmitted circulation destination registration information and becomes one of the facsimile apparatuses constituting the circulation group has at least a group code indicating the circulation group. Receiving means for receiving circulation destination registration information including a restriction signal corresponding to the group code, and storage means for storing the group code and the restriction signal included in the circulation destination registration information. Configuration.

In a state where the circulation group has been constructed, the facsimile apparatus which is the circulation start source of the image data to be circulated is provided with an input means for inputting a group code to be circulated and transmitted; Means for reading a restriction signal corresponding to the group code input by the means from the storage means, and generating circulation information including the group code and the restriction signal; and the circulation information generating means. A transmission means for adding the generated circulation information to the image data to be circulated and transmitting it to another facsimile apparatus constituting the circulation group.

Further, a facsimile apparatus that receives image data being circulated in a state where a circulation group is constructed includes at least a group code indicating the circulation group and a restriction signal corresponding to the group code. Receiving means for receiving the image data to which the circulation information has been added; reading out a limit signal corresponding to the group code received by the receiving means from the storage means; Determining means for determining whether or not the limit signal read from the storage means coincides with the limit signal. If the limit signal received by the receiving means matches the limit signal stored in the storage means, Transmitting means for circulating and transmitting the image data to the facsimile machine of the next transmission destination by the receiving means when the determination is made; It is formed.

Therefore, at the time of constructing the circulation group, at least the group code and the restriction signal constitute the circulation group as circulation destination registration information from the facsimile machine which is the transmission source of the circulation destination registration information. To another facsimile machine.

In the facsimile apparatus which has received the image data, the group code and the restriction signal in the circulation destination registration information are stored in its own storage means, so that one of the facsimile apparatuses constituting the circulation group can be used. Become.

Thus, in the circulation group constituted by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when transmitting a circulation to the circulation group, the user only needs to enter the group code and to enter the fax number of another facsimile apparatus to which the circulation is transmitted. Since the circulation transmission can be performed without inputting, there is an effect that the input operation of the user can be significantly reduced.

Further, in a state where the circulation group has already been constructed, the facsimile apparatus which intends to transmit the circulation to this circulation group reads the restriction signal corresponding to the group code from the storage means, and reads the restriction signal corresponding to the group code. The information for circulation including the signal is added to the image data to be circulated, and transmitted to another facsimile apparatus constituting the circulation group.

Further, at the time of the circulation transmission, the facsimile apparatus which has received the image data being circulated recognizes the group code from the received circulation information, and reads a restriction signal corresponding to the received group code from the storage means. .
When the received limit signal matches the limit signal read from the storage unit, the image data received by the receiving unit is circulated and transmitted to the facsimile machine of the next transmission destination.

At the time of circulation transmission in the circulation group, a restriction signal is added to the image data to be circulated in addition to the group code indicating the circulation group, and the restriction signal added to the received image data is transmitted to the reception side. Is transmitted only when the received signal matches the limit signal stored in the storage means.

Here, since the limit signal is not directly inputted by the user, the user does not recognize the limit signal and the limit signal does not leak to the outside.
Therefore, when a facsimile machine outside the circulation group connects to the circulation group via the public line network and attempts to start the circulation transmission, it is not possible to add a restriction signal to the image data. This makes it possible to prevent the circular transmission from being performed by abusing the constructed circular group.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a main operation of transmission processing related to circulation transmission or circulation destination registration transmission in a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a circular transfer in the facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal transmission procedure at the time of communication in the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a signal NSS used at the time of communication of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main operation of a reception process related to circulation transmission or circulation destination registration transmission in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main operation of transmission processing related to circulation transmission or circulation destination registration transmission in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and is a flowchart in a case where circulation destination registration transmission is performed by a simultaneous broadcast method.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main operation of a reception process related to circulation transmission or circulation destination registration transmission in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and is a flowchart in a case where circulation destination registration transmission is performed by a simultaneous broadcast method.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a circular transmission process in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a memory reception process in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the broadcast transmission processing in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 operation display section (input means) 5a circulation information storage section (storage means) 6 network control device (reception means, transmission means) 7 fax modem (reception means, transmission means) 9 control section (circulation information generation means, judgment Means) 11 automatic password generation unit (limit signal generation means)

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Ryo Nakabayashi 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Tsutomu Taniguchi 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Shigeki Nakahara 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside (72) Inventor Tamotsu Shuto 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (within Sharp Corporation) 5C062 AB20 AB38 AB42 AC02 AC42 AC43 AE15 AF01 AF02 AF03 BC07 BD08 5C075 CA03 CA14 CD23 EE02 EE08 EE90 5K101 KK01 TT06

Claims (4)

[Claims] An input means for inputting a facsimile number in all facsimile apparatuses belonging to the circulation group and a group code indicating the circulation group when constructing a circulation group including a plurality of facsimile apparatuses. A restriction signal generation unit that generates a restriction signal corresponding to the group code; at least a fax number and a group code input by the input unit; and a restriction signal generated by the restriction signal generation unit. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the circulation destination registration information to another facsimile apparatus that forms the circulation group. 2. A method for receiving a circulation destination registration information including at least a group code indicating the circulation group and a restriction signal corresponding to the group code when constructing a circulation group including a plurality of facsimile apparatuses. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for storing group codes and restriction signals included in the circulation destination registration information. 3. An input means for inputting a group code to be transmitted when transmitting a circular to a circular group composed of a plurality of facsimile apparatuses, wherein the input means comprises: A circulation information generating unit that reads a restriction signal corresponding to the input group code from the storage unit and generates circulation information including the group code and the restriction signal; and a circulation information generation unit that is generated by the circulation information generation unit. Information for circulation
3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the image data to be circulated to another facsimile apparatus constituting the circulation group. 4. When transmitting a circulation to a circulation group composed of a plurality of facsimile apparatuses, the receiving means includes at least a group code indicating the circulation group and a restriction signal corresponding to the group code. Receiving the image data to which the circulation information including the following is added, reading out the restriction signal corresponding to the group code received by the reception means from the storage means, and receiving the restriction signal received by the reception means and the storage means Determining means for determining whether or not the limit signal read from the storage means coincides with the limit signal. If the limit signal received by the receiving means matches the limit signal stored in the storage means, Transmitting means for circulating and transmitting the image data received by the receiving means to the facsimile machine of the next transmission destination when the determination is made; Facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in Rukoto.