JP2002290658A - Facsimile system and facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the processing efficiency by storing and making reusable a part of the facsimile data which is required again after the transmission of the facsimile data by facsimile. SOLUTION: A body text of the facsimile data stored in a storing section of a facsimile machine is checked and selected to obtain a file ID (S10). The reuse of the body text is instructed from an operation/display section of a client terminal (S11). The file ID of the body text is set as the transmission conditions for a covering letter of a the facsimile data prepared by the client terminal and a processing command prepared based on the covering letter (S12). Information on destinations, the transmission conditions, the covering letter, and the like are transmitted from the client terminal to the facsimile machine (S13). The information on destinations, the setup for facsimile transmission based on the transmission conditions, a page identifier for the covering letter, the file ID indicating the body text, and the like are stored (S14). The covering letter is stored in the storing section (S15). The data are read out according to the set conditions and then are transmitted to the other party machine (S16). The completion of transmission is checked (S17), and if the transmission is finished (Yes), the covering letter stored in the storing section is retrieved and deleted (S18).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile system and a facsimile apparatus for sharing facsimile data for performing facsimile transmission in response to requests from a plurality of client terminals connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a client terminal connected to a network performs facsimile transmission on various kinds of created data, the data is transferred to a facsimile apparatus connected to the same network and transmitted by facsimile.

In recent personal computers, there is a personal computer having a fax function in a modem used for connection to the Internet or the like via a public line. A facsimile program that enables facsimile transmission via a public line connected by the modem is also used.

[0004]

However, when facsimile transmission is performed with such a configuration, the facsimile data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus is discarded after the transmission, and is re-created when retransmission is performed. And fax data to a facsimile machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile system in which a part of required facsimile data can be saved and reused after facsimile transmission, thereby improving processing efficiency. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile system according to the present invention comprises a facsimile apparatus in which at least one client terminal is connected to a facsimile apparatus by a communication medium constituting a network via network connection means. Facsimile system,
The facsimile data created for performing facsimile transmission by the processing means of the client terminal is transferred to the facsimile apparatus, the facsimile apparatus identifies and separates the facsimile data, and outputs one of the facsimile data separated after facsimile transmission via the communication line connection means. The unit is stored in a storage unit.

Further, the identification and separation of the facsimile data is characterized in that a format part in a transmission image of facsimile transmission is identified and separated from other parts.

[0008] Further, the present invention is characterized in that a part of the facsimile data is stored only in another part separated from a format part in a transmission image.

Further, another part separated from the format part stored in the storage means is confirmed and selected from the client terminal via the network, and the facsimile transmission is performed by adding the format part transferred from the client terminal. And

In accordance with a connection from the other party's facsimile machine via the line connection means, the above-mentioned form part is stored in another part separated from the form part designated by the other party's facsimile machine, and a pre-stored template form. A facsimile transmission to a partner facsimile apparatus is performed by adding a format part created based on the facsimile apparatus.

Further, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile apparatus connected to a client terminal via a network connection means, wherein the facsimile data transferred from the client terminal is identified and separated, and the communication line connection means is provided. A part of the facsimile data separated after facsimile transmission via the facsimile is stored in a storage means.

Further, the identification and separation of the facsimile data is characterized in that a format part in a transmission image of facsimile transmission is identified and separated from other parts.

[0013] Further, the present invention is characterized in that a part of the facsimile data to be stored is only another part separated from a format part in a transmission image.

[0014] Further, another part separated from the format part stored in the storage means is transmitted by facsimile with the format part transferred from the client terminal added thereto.

[0015] Further, in accordance with connection from the other party's facsimile apparatus via the line connection means, the above-mentioned form part is stored in another part separated from the form part designated by the other party's facsimile apparatus, and the template form stored in advance. A facsimile transmission to a partner facsimile apparatus is performed by adding a format part created based on the facsimile apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the main part of the facsimile data stored in the facsimile apparatus is shared and reused, and when retransmitting, the transfer time of the other part separated from the format part in the transmission image of the facsimile data is eliminated. Can be.

Further, other separated parts of the facsimile data stored in the facsimile apparatus can be shared using a communication line.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 connected to a communication line for transmitting and receiving facsimile data, and a plurality of client terminals 2a and 2b including a personal computer or the like.
Are connected to a network 3 such as a LAN connected via a communication medium such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable to configure a facsimile system. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a cover page portion as a format portion, which is a transmission image of fax data, and a body portion as other portions.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the client terminal according to the first embodiment.
In the client terminal 2 shown in (1), a document creation process for facsimile transmission and a cover page creation process are performed in accordance with an operation instruction from the user via the operation / display unit 6 to create fax data. Necessary processes such as data compression / decompression, creation of transmission processing commands, creation of destination information such as a destination number, etc., which are necessary for the creation of the fax data, are performed by the control stored in the storage unit 5 and by each application. It is controlled by the control unit 4 based on programs, setting data, and the like, and is performed by the processing unit 7. Further, the facsimile data is transferred to the facsimile machine 1 connected to the network via the network connection control unit 8.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, an instruction operation desired by the user from the operation panel 11 ′ is performed by the operation control unit 11 by pressing a key switch or the like. For example, when a document is transmitted by facsimile, the document placed on the scanner unit 16 'is read via the scanner control unit 16 and temporarily stored in the storage unit 17, and the communication line connection control unit 13 and the modem 13' determine the transmission destination. After the process of establishing a connection with the partner device, facsimile transmission is performed after the process by the compression / decompression controller 14 according to the capability of the partner device.

Similarly, the facsimile data received by facsimile via the modem 13 'and the communication line connection controller 13 is transmitted to the plotter 15' via the plotter controller 15.
To print out on recording paper. The plotter unit 15 'prints out information such as the communication history and error record of the facsimile machine in accordance with the amount of stored data and the set time.

The storage unit 17 has an area for storing facsimile data to be transmitted by facsimile, an area for a line buffer and a page memory used for transmission / reception processing, an area for management information of stored data, and an area for management information of destination information. The above-described units are controlled by the main control unit 10.

In the facsimile system configured as described above, the facsimile data (cover page, body text) created by the client terminal 2 is attached with destination information, which is information on the transmission destination, and the network connection control unit. 8 to the facsimile machine 1. Also,
Also in the facsimile apparatus 1, the data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 17 via the network connection control unit 18, and is transmitted by the communication line connection control unit 13 and the modem 13 'after facsimile connection processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transfer format of facsimile data transferred from the client terminal to the facsimile machine. As shown in FIG. 5, at the start of the transfer of the fax data, the ESC code is continuous, each piece of information is followed by the ESC code, and the destination information start code is followed by the FAX number identification and the FAX number. At this time, when performing facsimile transmission to a plurality of destinations, the fax number identification and the fax number for the destinations are repeated, and a destination information end code is added at the end. Furthermore, following the transmission condition start code, conditions such as time specification and reuse storage are specified, and a transmission condition end code is attached.

Next, cover page identification, size + width + resolution +
A fax data cover sheet is transferred as image data,
Subsequently, the facsimile apparatus side file identification, file I
After D, transmit the cover page identification, size + width + resolution + image data (1st page), cover page identification, size + width + resolution + image data (2nd page), ..., and fax data body part Finally, an EOD indicating the end of the transfer is added and the process ends.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 1 facsimile-transmits the transferred facsimile data (sending portion, body part), deletes the sending part from the facsimile data after the transmission is completed, and stores only the body part in the storage unit. Save to 17. The body part stored in the storage unit 17 is managed by the file ID of the facsimile apparatus-side file identification described above.

In the case of the facsimile data to be transferred for the first time as the file ID, for example, "0000" is input as a default value and transferred, and the text stored in the storage unit 17 on the facsimile machine 1 side. The file ID is attached according to the management of the part, and this file ID is used at the time of reuse.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process of transferring fax data from a client terminal to a facsimile machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The client terminal 2 is operated by the user.
Of the fax data from the operation / display unit 6 (S1). Thereby, the client terminal 2
For the facsimile data created in step (1) and the processing command created with it, an instruction to save the body part of the facsimile data is set as a transmission condition (S2).

The client terminal 2 via the network
The destination information, transmission conditions, facsimile data (bill of cover, body text), etc. are transferred to the facsimile machine 1 (S3).
The transferred destination information, the setting of facsimile transmission according to the transmission conditions, and the page identifiers and file IDs of the cover page part and the body part of the facsimile data are stored (S
4). Save the fax data in the storage unit 17 (S
5).

The facsimile data is read out from the storage unit 17 under the set conditions and transmitted to the destination machine (S6). Confirmation of transmission completion (S7), and upon completion of transmission (Ye
s) Retrieve and delete the cover page of the fax data stored in the storage unit 17 (S8).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process of transferring a cover page from a client terminal and performing facsimile transmission attached to a text portion stored in a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the main body of the facsimile data stored in the storage unit 17 of the facsimile machine 1 is confirmed and selected to acquire a file ID (S10). Example 1
By the same user operation as above, an instruction to reuse the body part of the fax data is issued from the operation / display unit 6 of the client terminal 2 (S11). Thereby, the client terminal 2
For the facsimile data transmittal letter created in step 2 and the processing command created with it, a file ID designation instruction indicating the body part of the fax data is set as a transmission condition (S12).

The client terminal 2 via the network
Then, destination information, transmission conditions, a cover sheet portion of facsimile data (see FIG. 8) and the like are transferred to the facsimile machine 1 (S13). The transferred destination information, the setting of facsimile transmission according to the transmission conditions, the page identifier of the cover page of the fax data, the file ID indicating the body of the fax data, and the like are stored (S14). The cover page of the fax data is stored in the storage unit 17 (S1).
5).

The facsimile data is read out from the storage section 17 under the set conditions and transmitted to the other party (S16). Confirmation of completion of transmission (S17), and upon completion of transmission (Ye
s) Retrieve and delete the cover letter portion of the fax data stored in the storage unit 17 (S18).

Here, the storage unit 17 of the facsimile machine 1
Of the fax data stored in the storage unit 17 from the client terminal 2 via the network. As a method for confirming the list, as in the case of the shared file system,
The area for storing the body part of the fax data may be designated as the shared part. Alternatively, a thumbnail display showing a list of the body part of the fax data may be displayed as the shared part, and the thumbnail display may be used to confirm and select the corresponding file ID.

As described above, the body part of the facsimile data stored in the storage unit 17 of the facsimile apparatus 1 can be shared and used, and only the cover page part can be transferred at the time of retransmission from the client terminal 2. Becomes

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the standard protocol procedure of the G3 standard facsimile machine will be briefly described. The communication procedure of the facsimile apparatus of the G3 standard is roughly divided into the following five phases. Phase A: outgoing call, phase B: pre-procedure, phase C: image transmission, phase D: post-procedure, phase E: line disconnection.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of standard G3 protocol communication. In phase A, a calling signal CNG is transmitted from the calling side of the terminal to the called side. Upon receiving the CNG, the called side transmits a called terminal identification signal CED to the calling side.

Next, in phase B, the called terminal identification signal CSI and the digital identification signal DI follow the CED from the called side.
Send S. In CSI, the CSI of the called terminal
A code (international identification number) is conveyed, and the DIS conveys a function (information such as a recording width capability, a resolution capability, a compression method, etc., supported by the called side) of the called side. On the other hand, after receiving the DIS, the calling side transmits the transmitting terminal identification signal TSI, and then transmits the digital command signal DCS. TSI
Tells the called side the CSI code of the calling side, and DCS uses the calling side function and the communication conditions determined from the terminal function of the called side known from DIS (which image width, resolution, compression method Etc.).

Further, in order to determine the communication speed, a training signal TCF is transmitted from the calling side to the called side. Normally, this TCF is initially transmitted at the maximum rate of the calling and called parties. If the receiving side can normally receive this signal, it transmits a reception preparation confirmation signal CFR to the calling side. If the reception fails, a training failure signal FTT is transmitted. When the calling party receives the FTT, it lowers the speed and returns to TC
Send F. When the CFR is received, the speed of the TCF at that time is stored, and the phase B ends.

Next, the process proceeds to phase C. Here, the scanned image is transmitted as a message from the calling side to the called side at the speed determined by the TCF in phase B. When the image transmission of one page is completed, the process proceeds to phase D.

In phase D, if there is no next page, the calling side transmits a procedure end signal EOP to the called side.
When transmitting a message (image) of the next page in the same transmission mode, the multi-page signal MPS is transmitted. When transmitting a message (image) of the next page in a different transmission mode, a message end signal EOM is transmitted. Upon receiving any of EOP, MPS, and EOM, the called side transmits a message confirmation signal MCF to the calling side.

When the calling side receives the MCF, phase D ends. After this, which phase to proceed to is determined by which of EOP, MPS, and EOM was transmitted in phase D.

When the EOP is transmitted, that is, when there is no next page, the process proceeds to phase E. In phase E, the disconnecting command signal DCN is transmitted from the calling side to the called side, the line is disconnected, and the communication ends.

When the MPS is transmitted, that is, when the next page is transmitted in the same transmission mode, the process returns to the phase C.
Move on to the transmission of the message (image) on the next page.

When the EOM is transmitted, that is, when the next page is transmitted in a different transmission mode, the transmission condition once determined by the DCS needs to be re-determined.

According to the standard protocol of the G3 standard, communication cannot be performed in the middle of a phase, and communication in the middle of a phase cannot be skipped. Therefore, no matter how the transmission mode changes, it is necessary to transmit EOM and start over from the beginning of phase B.

In the second embodiment, receiving the information of the other party based on the CSI and DIS of the phase B described above and the file ID indicating the body part of the fax data stored in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus, The main body of the facsimile data stored in the storage unit of the facsimile machine is transmitted.

In response to a transmission request for a file ID designating the body part of the fax data received from the partner machine, a file ID indicating the body part of the fax data is stored, and further, the file ID is stored in a pre-stored template cover sheet. It is created with the name obtained from the device information of the machine, and this cover sheet is stored in the storage unit. Further, following the saved cover sheet, the body part of the designated file ID is read from the storage unit and transmitted by facsimile to the partner machine.

In the above processing, the file ID needs to be notified to the other party in advance. For example, the file ID is notified by voice guidance such as a facsimile information service, or a fixed file ID for extracting a list of file IDs. By obtaining this list, it is possible to notify the file ID.

From the above, not only the environment such as a LAN but also a generally available facsimile line can be used.
The body part of the fax data stored in the facsimile machine can be shared and used.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The body part of the fax data stored in the facsimile machine can be shared and reused, thereby improving the efficiency of office work.For example, eliminating the transfer time of the body part of the fax data at the time of retransmission, improving efficiency, There is an effect that the body part of the fax data can be shared by using a widely used communication line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cover page portion as a format portion, which is a transmission image of fax data, and a body portion as another portion.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a client terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transfer format of fax data transferred from a client terminal to a facsimile machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transferring facsimile data from a client terminal to a facsimile machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting a cover page from a client terminal and performing facsimile transmission attached to a body portion stored in a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transfer format of facsimile data (a cover page portion) transferred from a client terminal to a facsimile machine;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of standard G3 protocol communication;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2, 2a, 2b Client terminal 3 Network 4 Control part 5, 17 Storage part 6 Operation / display part 7 Processing part 8, 18 Network connection control part 10 Main control part 11 Operation control part 11 'Operation panel 12 Display control Unit 12 'display unit 13 communication line connection control unit 13' modem 14 compression / decompression control unit 15 plotter control unit 15 'plotter unit 16 scanner control unit 16' scanner unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile system in which at least one client terminal and a facsimile device are connected by a communication medium constituting a network via a network connection unit, wherein the facsimile system is created for performing facsimile transmission by a processing unit of the client terminal. Transferring the received facsimile data to the facsimile apparatus, identifying and separating the facsimile data in the facsimile apparatus, and storing a part of the separated facsimile data in the storage means after facsimile transmission via the communication line connection means. Facsimile system featuring. 2. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the identification and separation of the facsimile data is separated from other parts by identifying a format part in a transmission image of facsimile transmission. 3. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein a part of the facsimile data to be stored is only another part separated from a format part in a transmission image. 4. A method of confirming and selecting another part separated from a format part stored in the storage means from a client terminal via a network, and adding a format part transferred from the client terminal to perform facsimile transmission. The facsimile system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A template stored in advance in another portion separated from the format portion designated by the other party facsimile device in accordance with connection from the other party facsimile device via a line connection means. 5. The facsimile system according to claim 4, wherein a format portion created based on the format is added, and the facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus. 6. A facsimile apparatus connected to a client terminal via a network connection means, wherein the facsimile data transferred from the client terminal is separated and separated, and then separated after facsimile transmission via the communication line connection means. A facsimile apparatus wherein a part of the facsimile data is stored in a storage unit. 7. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification and separation of the facsimile data is separated from other parts by identifying a format part in a transmission image of facsimile transmission. 8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a part of the facsimile data to be stored is only another part separated from a format part in a transmission image. 9. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the other part separated from the format part stored in the storage unit is transmitted by facsimile with the format part transferred from the client terminal added. 10. A template stored in advance in another part separated from a format part designated by the other party facsimile apparatus in accordance with connection from the other party facsimile apparatus via line connection means. 10. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a facsimile apparatus transmits the facsimile to the partner facsimile apparatus by adding a format part created based on the format.