JP2002190934A - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal device for comparing a communication charge with a transport charge by other manuscript transport methods of mail or the like for displaying before transmission. SOLUTION: The communication terminal device comprises an image-reading section 11 for reading the image of the manuscript, an image memory 4 for storing the read image, a communication control section 7 for controlling the communication with one's party terminal, a one's party memory 3a for storing identification information for identifying the one's party terminal along with the communication condition with the one's party terminal, a display section 8, and a control section 1 that specifies the one's party terminal, reads the image of the manuscript for storing in the image memory, then obtains the prediction value of communication charge according to communication conditions with the one's party terminal and the amount of data of image in the image memory, at the same time obtains the transport charge by other manuscript transport methods for comparison, and displays the comparison result in the display section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device capable of transmitting an image of a document via a communication line. The present invention relates to a communication terminal device capable of comparing and displaying a fee according to a transportation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The capability of a facsimile apparatus has been rapidly improving in recent years. All pages of a plurality of originals are read in advance, encoded by a codec and stored in an image memory.
In addition to the mainstream memory transmission method for transmission, models having a double-sided recording function for recording a received image on both sides of a sheet and a color image transmission / reception function have appeared.

A facsimile machine has the advantage that originals can be sent to the destination more quickly than other methods of transporting originals, such as mailing. However, the communication fee required for sending originals is higher than the mailing fee. In some cases, Therefore, if the document does not require urgency, it may be preferable to send the document by mail or the like.

[0004]

However, the communication fee of the facsimile apparatus varies depending on the amount of image data to be transmitted, the distance division with the destination, the capability (communication speed) of the destination terminal, and the like. Also, since the mailing fee also varies depending on the weight of the document, it has been difficult to predict which of the facsimile transmission and the mailing can be used to send the document at a lower cost.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, after an image of a document is stored in an image memory, prior to transmission, a communication fee and a transport fee by another document transport method such as mailing are used. And a communication terminal device capable of comparing and displaying the information.

Therefore, a communication terminal device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image memory that stores the read image, and a destination terminal (a destination communication terminal device). A communication control unit that controls communication between the other party, a destination memory that stores identification information for identifying the destination terminal together with communication conditions between the destination terminal, and a display unit.
After specifying the destination terminal and reading the image of the original and storing it in the image memory, the communication charge with the destination terminal and the data amount of the image in the image memory are used to obtain a predicted value of the communication charge, And a control unit for obtaining and comparing the transport fee by the original transport method, and displaying the comparison result on a display unit. Here, the “communication condition with the destination terminal” is mainly determined by the capabilities (communication speed) of the destination terminal and the communication terminal device. In some cases, it depends on the status of the line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the comparison result is displayed only when the transportation fee by another document transportation method is lower than the estimated value of the communication fee.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a recording unit for recording an image in the image memory. Is characterized by recording an image stored therein.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile device 14 as a communication terminal device includes a CPU.
(Central processing unit), etc.
ly Memory) 2, RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, image memory 4, codec 5, modem 6, NCU (Network Control Unit) 7 as a communication control unit, display unit 8, operation unit 10, image reading unit 11, recording The units 12 are connected to each other by a bus line 13.

The RAM 3 temporarily stores various data required for control by the control unit 1, for example, the set speed of the modem 6. Further, in a partial area of the RAM 3, a destination memory 3a and a transportation fee memory 3b having a backup function capable of retaining the stored contents even when the power is turned off by a rechargeable battery or the like are provided.

The image memory 4 is composed of a RAM or the like, and stores image data read by an image reading unit 11 described below and encoded by the codec 5. The image memory 4 stores the encoded image data in the number 1 of the original.
It has a storage capacity capable of storing about 0 to several hundred pages.

The codec 5 sequentially encodes image data to be transmitted, read by the image reading unit 11, and
It has a role of decoding encoded image data received from a communication terminal device of a partner (hereinafter, referred to as a partner terminal). The modem 6 modulates and demodulates the transmission / reception data, specifically, modulates the transmission data into a voice band signal and sends it to the communication line 15 such as a public telephone network via the NCU 7.
Demodulates the voice band signal received from the destination terminal through the NCU 7 into a digital signal.

The NCU 7 as a communication control unit has a function of controlling connection between the communication line 15 and the facsimile machine 14, a function of transmitting a dial pulse corresponding to the facsimile number of the destination terminal, and a function of detecting an incoming call. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 8 includes, for example,
The operation section 10 is provided with a plurality of keys. That is, A1 and A2 are selection keys for selecting either color image transmission or black and white image transmission, A3 to A5 are selection keys for selecting resolution, density and magnification when transmitting color or black and white images, respectively.
B1 to B3 correspond to “redial”, “broadcast (a function of transmitting the same document to another destination)”, and “reservation (image of the document in advance, The function key is a key for selecting various functions such as a function of storing in the memory 4 and automatically transmitting the reserved time.

C is a menu key for switching the screen (menu) displayed on the display unit 8.
Although not shown, when the menu key C is repeatedly pressed, the registration screen of the abbreviated number is sequentially displayed from the standard screen of FIG.
The screen is switched to various screens such as a registration screen of a destination facsimile number for the one-touch key W.

D denotes a cursor (not shown) displayed on the display unit 8 and a cross cursor key for moving various selection items up, down, left and right, and E denotes reading and transmission of a document (not shown) set on the image reading unit 11. A start key F for instructing, a numeric keypad F, a reset key G for resetting settings such as resolution to a standard "automatic" mode, and a stop key H for instructing termination of facsimile transmission or the like.

Further, W is a plurality of one-touch keys provided, and a facsimile number or the like of a desired communication partner is registered in the partner memory 3a as a one-touch key table in correspondence with each one-touch key W. Only by pressing the key W, the destination terminal can be called. Also, when an abbreviated number of about two or three digits is registered, the abbreviated number and the actual facsimile number etc. are registered in the correspondence memory 3a as an abbreviated number table in a corresponding state, and the abbreviated number is input by the ten keys F You can make a call to the destination terminal just by calling.

The image reading unit 11 includes an automatic document feeder capable of sequentially supplying a plurality of documents to the reading device, and a reading device including a line sensor and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and reads a document for facsimile transmission. It is supposed to do. In this case, in the case of a color image, reading is performed a plurality of times for each color element such as three primary colors using a color separation filter or the like, as is well known. The recording unit 12 includes a printing device such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system, and records black-and-white or color image data received from a destination on paper in a black-and-white mode or a color mode, respectively.

In the ROM 2, a program for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus 14, such as a facsimile transmission / reception procedure, is stored in advance. In this program, a destination terminal is designated, an image of a document is read, and an image
After that, the maximum communication speed (communication condition with the destination terminal) that can be communicated with the destination terminal stored in the destination memory 3a and the image data in the image memory 4 The procedure includes calculating the estimated value of the communication fee based on the amount, and calculating and comparing another original transportation method, for example, a transportation fee by mail, and displaying the comparison result on the display unit 8.

Further, the program includes a maximum communication speed of the modem of the destination terminal and a maximum communication speed of the modem 6 of the facsimile device 14 included in a signal received from the destination terminal at the time of facsimile transmission. The highest communication speed capable of communicating with the destination terminal (that is, the lower one of the two maximum communication speeds) is associated with a facsimile number or the like and stored in the abbreviated number table or one-touch key table in the destination memory 3a. The procedure for storing is included. Note that a flash memory or the like, which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, may be used instead of the ROM 2.

Next, a part of contents registered in the destination memory 3a and the transportation fee memory 3b in the RAM 3 will be exemplified. Table 1 is an example of a part of the abbreviated number table.

[Table 1]

In Table 1, the destination name and the facsimile number are data manually input by the operation unit 10. If there has been no previous communication case with the destination for which the abbreviated number has been registered, leave the column of the maximum communication speed blank, and calculate the estimated value of the communication charge, for example, when calculating the average value at that time. What is necessary is just to use the maximum communication speed in the communication terminal device having the capability.

The unit communication charge is a telephone charge per unit time (for example, three minutes) with the other party, and includes weekday noon (8:00 to 19:00 on weekdays), holidays and nights (8:00 on holidays).
The fees for each time zone from hour to 19:00 and from 19:00 to 23:00 on all days and from midnight (from 23:00 to 8:00 on all days) are stored.

Table 1 also shows the one-touch key table.
The same data as described above is stored in the destination memory 3a, and these tables can be displayed on the display unit 8 based on the operation of the menu key C as needed.

On the other hand, the transportation fee memory 3b stores a unit communication fee table as shown in Table 2, which indicates a unit communication fee for each region in the country (distance classification with the destination). The unit communication charges in Table 1 are read out from the unit communication charge table in Table 2 based on the distance division with the destination, and stored in the shortening table. In addition, instead of storing the unit communication fee in the shortening table, only the distance division with the destination is stored, and the unit communication fee is
You may make it read from a unit communication charge table.
Also, a unit communication charge table storing unit communication charges for each overseas region can be provided in the transportation charge memory 3b.

[0026]

[Table 2]

Further, the shipping fee memory 3b stores a mailing fee table showing the relationship between the weight classification and the shipping fee as shown in Table 3. Here, non-standard-size mail (length 2
The fee is stored on the assumption that the mail will be mailed domestically as a mail item exceeding 3.5cm, 12cm in width or 1cm in thickness.

[0028]

[Table 3] The transport fee memory 3b stores the transport fee for various original transport methods other than facsimile transmission, such as the postage fee for each region and weight, and the fee for the home delivery service for each destination region when mailing overseas. Let it be. The transport charge memory 3b stores unit weights of originals of various sizes (A4, B4, etc.), that is, standard weights per original, in order to determine the weight of the original.

In the above configuration, at the time of facsimile reception, the received image data is demodulated by the modem 6 and stored in the image memory 4, then decoded by the codec 5 and printed by the recording unit 12. Facsimile machine 14
Also has a copying function, and although not described in detail, at the time of copying, after the image data read by the image reading unit 11 is encoded by the codec 5 and stored in the image memory 4,
It is decrypted again and printed by the recording unit 12.

Hereinafter, the control procedure of the control unit 1 when performing facsimile transmission using the abbreviated number will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, in particular, prior to the transmission, the communication fee and the postage fee will be calculated and compared. The procedure will be described. First, the operator selects either black-and-white transmission or color transmission using the selection keys A1 or A2, specifies the resolution with the selection key A3, and specifies the magnification and the like as necessary (S1). In the case of reservation transmission, "reservation" in FIG.
By operating the selection key B3 corresponding to, the transmission start time and the like are designated on a reservation transmission screen (not shown).

Subsequently, when the abbreviated number of the destination is input using the numeric keypad F (S2), and reading and transmission of the original are instructed by the start key E, the image of the original is read by the image reading unit 10 and the codec 5 encodes the image. After being converted, the image memory 4
(S3). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not reading of all pages of the document has been completed (S4). If not, the process returns to S3 and reading of the document is continued.

If reading of all pages of the document has been completed, the maximum communication speed at which communication with the destination terminal is possible is read from a short number table as exemplified in Table 1 (S5). . Subsequently, the maximum communication speed at which communication can be performed with the destination terminal, for example, 14.4 kbit / s, and the data amount of image data stored in the image memory 4 and to be transmitted to the destination terminal ( Based on the unit, for example, mbit (mechanical unit), a predicted communication time for transmitting the image data is calculated (S6).

Subsequently, a predicted value of the communication fee is calculated based on the predicted value of the communication time and the unit communication fee required for communication with the other party (S7). As the unit communication fee, the unit communication fee at the current time is used for normal transmission, that is, in the case of transmitting immediately after reading, and in the case of reserved transmission, the unit communication fee at the reserved time is used. . Further, an approximate value of the weight of the entire document is calculated from the unit weight according to the document size and the number of documents, and a mailing fee corresponding to the weight is read from the mailing fee table (S8).

Then, it is determined whether the communication fee for facsimile transmission is higher than the postage fee (S
9) If the communication charge is equal to or less than the postage charge, there is no merit of switching to the postal charge, so that the image data stored in the image memory 4 is facsimile-transmitted immediately or at the reserved time (S10), and the process ends. Is done.

On the other hand, if the communication fee is higher than the postage fee, although not shown, a message is displayed on the display unit 8 for confirming whether or not the facsimile transmission is to be performed although the postage is cheaper (S11). . In this case, the communication fee and the postage fee may be displayed on the display unit 8.

When the operator dares to perform facsimile transmission in accordance with the further message, for example, the selection key B
To stop facsimile transmission in order to switch 1 to mailing, for example, the selection key B2 is operated. If the document is an urgent document or the like, and the user intentionally selects facsimile transmission, the process advances to step S10 to execute facsimile transmission.

If the user selects to stop facsimile transmission in S11, then a message is displayed on the display unit 8 asking whether it is necessary to copy the original and create a copy of the original (S12). . According to the further message, the operator operates the selection key B1, for example, when copying of the original is necessary, and operates the selection key B2, for example, when the copying of the original is unnecessary.

If the user selects to copy the original in S12, the image data stored in the image memory 4 is stored in the recording unit 1
After printing in S2 (S13), the image data in the image memory 4 is deleted (S14). When sending a manuscript to the other party by mail, a copy is often made and kept at hand, but as described above, the image data initially read for facsimile transmission can be used as it is for copying Therefore, there is no need to repeat reading. On the other hand, if the user selects not to copy the original in S12, the image data in the image memory 4 is immediately deleted.

Next, a control procedure by the control unit 1 at the time of facsimile transmission in S10 will be briefly described based on a flowchart of FIG. First, the facsimile number corresponding to the designated abbreviated number is read from the abbreviated number table and is called (S21). When communication is established, D indicates that the destination terminal has a standard reception function of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector).
An IS (digital identification signal) is received (S22).
From the maximum communication speed of the modem of the destination terminal included in the DIS and the maximum communication speed of the modem 6 of the facsimile apparatus 14, the maximum transmission speed at which data can be transmitted (the lower one of the maximum communication speeds of the two) is obtained. After the maximum communication speed is set as the training start speed (S23), the TCF
(Training check) is sent (S24). In response to this, the partner terminal executes training for reception at the communication speed.

Next, it is determined whether a response from the destination terminal has been detected (S25), and if not, the same determination is repeated. When the FTT (training failure signal) indicating the training failure is received from the destination terminal, after the set speed of the modem is reduced by one level, S
Returning to 24, the TCF is transmitted again. For example, if the maximum communication speed at which communication is possible between the facsimile machine 14 and the destination terminal is 14.4 kbit / s, the set speed of the modem is sequentially 12.0 kbit / s, 9. 6
kbit / s, 7.2 kbit / s, 4.8 kbit / s, and the like.

If a CFR (reception preparation confirmation signal) indicating successful training is received from the destination terminal in S25, the flow advances to S27 to transmit image data. After the transmission of the image data, the maximum communication speed of the modem of the destination terminal received in S22 and the modem 6 of the facsimile machine 14
The maximum communication speed that can be communicated with the destination terminal obtained from the maximum communication speed of the destination terminal is stored in correspondence with the facsimile number of the destination terminal in the shortened number table in the destination memory 3a. (S28). Thus, at the time of the next transmission, a predicted value of the communication time is calculated based on the maximum communication speed (S6 in FIG. 3).

In step S28, instead of storing the maximum communication speed at which communication can be performed with the destination terminal in the abbreviated number table, image data is actually transmitted (S27) after the training (S24). The set speed of the modem at the time of transmission may be stored in the abbreviated number table.

This is because the actual facsimile transmission is not always performed at the maximum communication speed of the modem of the destination terminal depending on the condition of the communication line with the destination and so on. This is because it is more likely that the communication fee before the current communication is predicted based on the actual communication speed can more accurately predict the communication fee. Also, instead of the communication speed at the time of the previous transmission, the setting speed of the modem that is closest to the average value of the actual communication speeds at the time of the past multiple transmissions is selected from the above-described multiple-stage setting speed, and the setting is performed. It is also possible to obtain a predicted value of the communication fee using the speed.

In the above embodiment, only when the mailing fee is lower than the communication fee, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 8 (S11 in FIG. 3) prior to transmission, but the communication fee is lower. Both the communication fee and the postage fee may be displayed on the display unit 8 before transmission, including inexpensive cases. Further, when the communication fee varies depending on the time zone such as weekday daytime and midnight, the communication fee for each time zone can be displayed.

In each of the above-described flowcharts, the case where a call is made using the abbreviated number has been described. However, the same control can be performed when a call is made using the one-touch key W. In addition, when a call is made by directly inputting the facsimile number of the destination, for example, a unit communication fee is determined by determining a distance division with the destination based on the facsimile number,
Using the communication speed of the facsimile machine having the average capability at that time, a predicted value of the communication fee can be obtained and compared with the mailing fee. Note that other original transportation methods to be compared with the communication fee include home delivery and the like in addition to mailing.

[0046]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device for reading an image of an original, an image memory for storing the read image, and a communication control for controlling communication between the terminal and the other terminal. Unit, a destination memory for storing identification information for identifying the destination terminal together with the communication conditions between the destination terminal, a display unit, and a destination terminal, specifying the destination terminal, reading the image of the document, and storing the read image in the image memory. After the storage, the estimated value of the communication fee is calculated based on the communication conditions with the destination terminal and the amount of image data in the image memory, and the transport fee by another document transport method is determined and compared. Since the communication terminal device is provided with a control unit to be displayed on the display unit, the operator of the communication terminal device can refer to the above-described comparison result to determine which of the communication fee and the transport fee by another original transport method such as mailing. Is less expensive Whether it is possible to predict accurately. Therefore, if the original does not require urgency and it is anticipated that other original transportation methods, such as mailing, will be cheaper, it is possible to cancel the original transmission by communication. Can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the comparison result is displayed only when the transportation fee by another document transportation method is lower than the estimated value of the communication fee. That is, when the communication fee is expected to be lower, the operator usually selects the transmission of the original by communication. Is displayed only when the transportation fee is lower. Therefore, when the communication fee is expected to be lower, the transmission of the document can be started immediately without performing the above display.

On the other hand, in the case of a document requiring urgency, even if the communication fee is expected to be higher, the transport of the document by communication may be selected. Is expected to be cheap,
The comparison result is displayed and left to the operator's selection without immediately stopping the transport of the original by communication.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication terminal device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a recording unit for recording an image in the image memory. The image which is already stored in is recorded. In other words, when using another document transportation method such as mailing, it is necessary to keep a copy of the document at the sender, and in general, copy the document and transport it to the destination.
Such copying can be performed only by recording the image in the image memory which has already been read. This eliminates the need to read again for copying a document, thereby enabling efficient processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit and an operation unit in the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for comparing a communication fee and a mailing fee prior to transmission in the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a transmission procedure in the facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 control unit 3a destination memory 7 NCU (communication control unit) 11 image reading unit 12 recording unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image reading unit for reading an image of a document, an image memory for storing the read image, a communication control unit for controlling communication with a destination terminal, and identification information for identifying the destination terminal. After specifying the destination memory, the display unit, and the destination terminal to store together with the communication conditions with the destination terminal, read the image of the document, and store it in the image memory.
While calculating the estimated value of the communication fee based on the communication conditions with the destination terminal and the data amount of the image in the image memory, calculating and comparing the transport fee by another document transport method and displaying the comparison result on the display unit A communication terminal device comprising a control unit for causing the communication terminal device to perform the control. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison result is displayed only when the transportation fee by another document transportation method is lower than the estimated value of the communication fee. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit for recording an image in the image memory, wherein, after displaying the comparison result, when the communication is canceled, the image stored in the image memory is recorded. 3. The communication terminal device according to 1 or 2.