JP2003078740A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine that can realize a bulletin board service convenient when a document of a kind is distributed where distributed pages are gradually increased. SOLUTION: When receiving a polling transmission request of distributed documents registered in the bulletin board service, the facsimile terminal transmits the document and image information sent at that time, from which pages having already been sent to a destination terminal are eliminated, to the destination terminal. Thus, the facsimile terminal can avoid a case of duplicate transmission and provide a proper bulletin board service.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which provides a bulletin board function by utilizing an image storage function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Considering a service (bulletin board service) for distributing a set of documents (image information) to an arbitrary user using a facsimile device, for example, storing image information to be distributed to a facsimile device. Then, when the user makes a polling transmission request to this facsimile device, a method of transmitting the accumulated image information to the user's facsimile device is conceivable.

[0003]

However, in the bulletin board service using such a simple polling transmission function, when a polling transmission request is made by the user,
All the stored image information is transmitted, and for example, in the case of distributing a type of document in which distribution pages gradually increase, duplicate pages are distributed, which is inconvenient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which can realize a convenient bulletin board service when distributing a document of a type in which distribution pages gradually increase. I am trying.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having an image storage function, a distribution destination information table in which distribution completion page numbers are stored for a plurality of communication destination terminals together with communication destination identification information, The distribution image information is sequentially stored page by page, and when a call is issued from any terminal and a distribution acquisition request is made, the distribution information is completed from the distribution destination information table by referring to the identification information notified from the partner terminal. Acquires the page number, sends all the image information pages after the page of the distribution completion page number among the image information pages of the above-mentioned accumulated distribution image information, and when the transmission is completed, it corresponds to the other party. The distribution completion page number in the distribution destination information table is updated.

Further, the facsimile apparatus having the image storage function is provided with a distribution destination information table in which distribution completion page numbers are stored for a plurality of communication destination terminals together with the distribution destination identification information, and the distribution image information is sequentially page by page. When the call is sent from one of the terminals and a polling transmission request is made while accumulating, the distribution completion page number is acquired from the distribution destination information table by referring to the identification information notified from the partner terminal, and the accumulation is performed. Of the image information pages of the distributed image information, all the image information pages after the page after the distribution completion page number are polled and transmitted, and when the polling transmission is completed, the distribution destination information table corresponding to the destination The distribution completion page number is updated. Further, during the polling transmission, predetermined polling information is received from the partner terminal, and the polling sending operation is performed only when the received certification information is correct.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus having the image storage function, the distribution completion page number, the immediate transmission flag, and the facsimile number are sent together with the destination identification information.
A distribution destination information table stored for a plurality of destination terminals is provided, distribution image information is sequentially stored in page units, and if there is a destination with the immediate transmission flag set, a call is made to the destination. Then, the distribution completion page number corresponding to the other party is acquired from the distribution destination information table, and among the image information pages of the accumulated distribution image information,
All the image information pages after the page after the distribution completion page number are transmitted, and when the transmission is completed, the distribution completion page number in the distribution destination information table corresponding to the destination is updated. is there.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a group 3 facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the system control unit 1 performs control processing of each unit of the group 3 facsimile apparatus and predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission control procedure processing. The system memory 2 includes the system control unit 1 Stores a control processing program executed by the computer, various data necessary for executing the processing program, and the like, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is used for the group 3 facsimile apparatus. The clock circuit 4 is for storing various kinds of information peculiar to the clock, and the clock circuit 4 is for outputting current time information.

The scanner 5 is for reading an original image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is a group 3 facsimile. It is used to operate the device and consists of various operation keys and various indicators.

The encoding / decoding unit 8 is for encoding and compressing the image signal and for decoding the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.
This is for storing a large amount of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanging image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem,
V. 34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 11 is for connecting the group 3 facsimile device to the analog public network PSTN and has an automatic call originating / receiving function.

These system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem. 10 and the network control device 11 are connected to an internal bus 12, and data is exchanged between these respective elements mainly via the internal bus 12.

Data is exchanged directly between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10.

In this embodiment, one document (image information file) to be distributed by using the bulletin board service can be set, and the image information file of such a distributed document is stored in the image storage device 9. . The image information file stored in the image storage device 9 is stored and managed by the storage management information as shown in FIG.

The storage management information is composed of the number of pages of image information included in the distributed document and a plurality of page management information for managing each page. Also,
As shown in FIG. 2B, the page management information is composed of a page number and image information mapping information indicating the address occupied by the image information of the page in the storage area of the image storage device 9.

Further, in order to manage users who use the bulletin board service, a distribution destination information table as shown in FIG. 3A is formed. This distribution destination information table is a collection of a plurality of distribution destination information, and each distribution destination information is distributed to the distribution destination, such as terminal identification information, as shown in FIG. It consists of the last page number.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a process for storing distribution documents.

First, the scanner 5 is operated to read an original image for one page (process 101), and the image data for one page obtained by the operation is applied by the encoding / decoding unit 8 to a predetermined encoding method. Coded and compressed (process 102),
The image information for one page obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9
Is stored (process 103), page management information is created for the image information page for one page added at that time,
The content of the storage management information is updated (process 104).

Here, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 5 (decision 105), and the judgment 105
When the result is YES, the process returns to step 101, and the next page is read and accumulated. Also, judgment 10
When the result of 5 is NO, this accumulation processing is ended.

When the registered distribution document is acquired by using the bulletin board service of this facsimile apparatus, a normal polling transmission request procedure can be applied.

FIG. 5 shows an example of processing performed by this facsimile apparatus when an incoming call is received.

First, when an incoming call is detected (step 201), an incoming call is answered (step 202), and a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission pre-procedure operation is performed (step 203).

Here, it is checked whether or not a polling transmission request has been made (decision 204), and when the result of the judgment 204 is NO, a normal incoming call process is performed (process 20).
5) Perform operations such as image information reception.

When a polling transmission request is made and the result of judgment 204 is YES, the distribution destination information table is searched using the terminal identification information notified by the other party in the pre-transmission procedure, and the corresponding condition is obtained. It is checked whether distribution destination information has already been registered (decision 206). Judgment 2
When the result of 06 is NO, distribution destination information is newly created and additionally registered in the distribution destination information table (Process 20).
7).

Next, using the notified terminal identification information,
The distribution destination information is acquired (process 208), the final distribution page number is checked, and the page number of the image information to be transmitted in the transmission operation at this time is recognized (process 209).

Next, a polling transmission pre-procedure is performed (process 210), and a transmission operation is performed for the page of image information to be transmitted recognized in process 209 (process 211). When this transmission operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is performed (process 212) and the line is restored (process 213).

Then, the final page transmitted by the polling transmission operation at that time is set to the final distribution page number of the corresponding distribution destination information to update the distribution destination information (process 214), and this process is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, the facsimile apparatus transmits the distribution document registered in the bulletin board service when the polling transmission request is made, and the image information transmitted at that time is the polling transmission request. Since only the pages other than the pages that have already been transmitted are transmitted to the partner terminal, it is possible to avoid a situation in which they are repeatedly transmitted, and it is possible to provide an appropriate bulletin board service.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, any other Group 3 facsimile apparatus can use the bulletin board service, but it is also possible to limit the terminals that can use the bulletin board service.

Further, depending on the distribution destination, there may be a case where when a page of a distribution document is newly registered, it is desired to immediately receive distribution of a new registered page.

To deal with such a request, for example, as the distribution destination information described above, an immediate transmission flag and a facsimile number of the distribution destination are added as shown in FIG. 3C. The distribution destination information is registered by the operator so that it is not automatically added.

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing at the time of storing distribution documents in this case.

First, the scanner 5 is operated to read an original image for one page (process 301), and the image data for one page obtained by the operation is applied by the encoding / decoding unit 8 to a predetermined encoding method. Then, the data is encoded and compressed (process 302),
The image information for one page obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9
Is stored in (process 303), page management information is created for the image information page for one page added at that time,
The content of the storage management information is updated (process 304).

Here, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 5 (judgment 305), and judgment 305 is made.
When the result is YES, the process returns to step 301, and the next page is read and stored.

When the result of judgment 305 is NO, each element of the distribution destination information table is checked to see if the distribution destination information whose immediate transmission flag is set to ON is registered (decision 306). ), When the result of determination 306 is NO, the accumulation process at this time is ended.

When the result of determination 306 is YES, all the distribution destination information for which the immediate transmission flag is set is collected (process 307).

Next, one is selected from the distribution destination information collected in the process 307 (process 308), the facsimile number is set as the destination, and the page number of the last page from the page number next to the last distributed page number. Image information up to
The page to be transmitted is set (process 309) and a predetermined transmission operation is performed (process 310). In this transmission operation, a call is made to the destination and the image information of the set transmission page is transmitted. When the transmission operation is completed, the final distribution page number of the distribution destination information is updated (process 311).

Next, it is checked whether or not the transmission operation has been performed for all the distribution destination information collected in the process 307 (decision 3).
12) If the result of determination 312 is NO, the process returns to step 308, the next distribution destination information is selected, and a new image information page is transmitted for the distribution destination information.

When the result of the judgment 312 is YES, the operation at this time is ended.

FIG. 7 shows an example of processing performed by the facsimile apparatus when an incoming call arrives in this case. In this case, a document registered in the bulletin board service is distributed by applying a normal polling transmission request procedure.

First, when an incoming call is detected (process 401), an incoming call is answered (process 402), and a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission pre-procedure operation is performed (process 403).

Here, it is checked whether or not a polling transmission request is made (decision 404), and when the result of the decision 404 is NO, a normal incoming call process is performed (process 40).
5) Perform operations such as image information reception.

When a polling transmission request is made and the result of judgment 404 is YES, the distribution destination information table is searched using the terminal identification information notified by the other party in the pre-transmission procedure, and the corresponding condition is obtained. It is checked whether distribution destination information is registered (decision 406). Judgment 406
If the result is NO, the bulletin board service is not provided, so the line is forcibly disconnected (process 407) and the operation at the time of the incoming call is terminated.

On the other hand, when the corresponding distribution destination information is registered and the result of judgment 406 is YES,
Using the notified terminal identification information, the distribution destination information is acquired (process 408), the final distribution page number is checked, and the page number of the image information to be transmitted in the transmission operation at this time is recognized (process 409).

Next, a polling transmission pre-procedure is performed (process 410), and a transmission operation is performed for the page of image information to be transmitted recognized in process 409 (process 411). When this transmission operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is performed (process 412) and the line is restored (process 413).

Then, the final page transmitted by the polling transmission operation at that time is set to the final distribution page number of the corresponding distribution destination information to update the distribution destination information (process 414), and this process is terminated.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the document registered in the bulletin board service is distributed by applying the normal polling transmission request procedure, but the document registered in the bulletin board service is distributed by using the callback procedure. It can also be distributed.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the processing performed by the facsimile apparatus upon receipt of an incoming call in that case.

First, when an incoming call is detected (process 501), the incoming call is answered (process 502), a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission pre-procedure operation is performed (process 503), and compulsory at the stage when the terminal identification information of the partner terminal is acquired. The line is physically restored (process 504).

Next, the distribution destination information table is searched using the acquired terminal identification information of the partner terminal, and it is checked whether or not the corresponding distribution destination information is registered (decision 50).
5). When the result of the determination 505 is NO, the bulletin board service is not provided, so the operation at the time of incoming call is terminated.

On the other hand, when the corresponding distribution destination information is registered and the result of the judgment 505 is YES,
Distribution destination information is acquired using the notified terminal identification information (process 506), the final distribution page number is checked, and the page number of the image information to be transmitted is recognized (process 507).

Then, the facsimile number is acquired from the distribution destination information acquired in the process 506 and the facsimile number is called (process 508), and the pre-transmission procedure of the predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is performed (process 509). Process 5
The image information of the page number recognized in 07 is transmitted (Process 5
10).

When this transmission operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is performed (process 511) and the line is restored (process 51).
2). Then, the final page transmitted by the transmission operation at that time is set to the final distribution page number of the corresponding distribution destination information to update the distribution destination information (process 513), and this process is terminated.

In this way, in the present embodiment, when a page of a distribution document is newly added, it is transmitted to the distribution destination desiring immediate transmission, so that the usability of the user who uses the bulletin board service is improved. .

In the above embodiment, the authentication at the time of polling transmission request is not performed, but an appropriate authentication operation can be performed. In addition, the transmission operation to the partner terminal desiring immediate transmission may be set at night when the communication charge is low. Further, as the identification information of the partner terminal, the terminal identification information exchanged in the group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is applied, but other appropriate identification information can be applied.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a facsimile apparatus having an image storage function, a distribution destination information table in which distribution completion page numbers are stored for a plurality of communication destination terminals together with communication destination identification information,
The distribution image information is sequentially stored page by page, and when a call is issued from any terminal and a distribution acquisition request is made, the distribution information is completed from the distribution destination information table by referring to the identification information notified from the partner terminal. Acquires the page number, sends all the image information pages after the page of the distribution completion page number among the image information pages of the above-mentioned accumulated distribution image information, and when the transmission is completed, it corresponds to the other party. Since the distribution completion page number in the distribution destination information table is updated, the user can receive the distribution document registered in the bulletin board service without duplication, and as a result, the appropriate bulletin board service can be received. Get the effect of being able to provide.

Further, the facsimile apparatus having the image storage function is provided with a distribution destination information table in which distribution completion page numbers are stored for a plurality of distribution destination terminals together with the distribution destination identification information, and the distribution image information is sequentially page by page. When the call is sent from one of the terminals and a polling transmission request is made while accumulating, the distribution completion page number is acquired from the distribution destination information table by referring to the identification information notified from the partner terminal, and the accumulation is performed. Of the image information pages of the distributed image information, all the image information pages after the page after the distribution completion page number are polled and transmitted, and when the polling transmission is completed, the distribution destination information table corresponding to the destination Since the distribution completion page number is updated, the user can duplicate the distribution document registered in the bulletin board service. It can be received in the absence, as a result, such an effect that it is possible to provide an appropriate bulletin board service.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus having the image storage function, the distribution completion page number, the immediate transmission flag, and the facsimile number are sent together with the destination identification information.
A distribution destination information table stored for a plurality of destination terminals is provided, distribution image information is sequentially stored in page units, and if there is a destination with the immediate transmission flag set, a call is made to the destination. Then, the distribution completion page number corresponding to the other party is acquired from the distribution destination information table, and among the image information pages of the accumulated distribution image information,
All the image information pages after the page after the distribution completion page number are transmitted, and when the transmission is completed, the distribution completion page number of the distribution destination information table corresponding to the partner is updated. The user can receive the distribution document registered in the bulletin board service without duplication, and as a result, it is possible to provide an appropriate bulletin board service.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a group 3 facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of storage management information.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a distribution destination information table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of storing distribution documents.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by this facsimile apparatus when an incoming call is received.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of processing when accumulating distributed documents.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of processing performed by this facsimile device when an incoming call is received.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing still another example of the processing performed by this facsimile device when an incoming call is received.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 System control unit 2 system memory 9 Image storage device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having an image storage function, which comprises a distribution destination information table in which distribution completion page numbers are stored for a plurality of distribution destination terminals together with distribution destination identification information, and distribution image information is sequentially page by page. When a call is made from one of the terminals and a distribution acquisition request is made while accumulating, the distribution completion page number is acquired from the distribution destination information table by referring to the identification information notified from the partner terminal, and the accumulation is performed. Of the image information pages of the distributed image information, all the image information pages after the page after the distribution completion page number are transmitted, and when the transmission is completed, the distribution completion page of the distribution destination information table corresponding to the other party A facsimile machine characterized by updating a number. 2. A facsimile apparatus having an image storage function, which is provided with a distribution destination information table in which distribution completion page numbers are stored for a plurality of distribution destination terminals together with the distribution destination identification information, and the distribution image information is sequentially page by page. When the call is sent from one of the terminals and a polling transmission request is made while accumulating, the distribution completion page number is acquired from the distribution destination information table by referring to the identification information notified from the partner terminal, and the accumulation is performed. Of the image information pages of the distributed image information, all the image information pages after the page after the distribution completion page number are polled and transmitted, and when the polling transmission is completed, the distribution destination information table corresponding to the destination A facsimile machine characterized by updating the distribution completion page number. 3. The facsimile according to claim 2, wherein the polling transmission operation is performed only when predetermined authentication information is received from the partner terminal during the polling transmission, and the received authentication information is correct. apparatus. 4. A facsimile device having an image storage function, which comprises a distribution destination information table in which a distribution completion page number, a prompt transmission flag, and a facsimile number are stored for a plurality of communication destination terminals together with the distribution destination identification information. , The distribution image information is sequentially stored page by page, and if there is a destination to which the immediate transmission flag is set, the destination is called, and the destination information table corresponds to the destination. When the distribution completion page number is acquired, all the image information pages subsequent to the distribution completion page number of the image information pages of the accumulated distribution image information are transmitted, and when the transmission is completed, A facsimile device characterized by updating a distribution completion page number of a distribution destination information table corresponding to a destination.