JP2003115974A - Facsimile machine, method for controlling the facsimile machine, and program for controlling the facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably conduct facsimile communication via an IP network by optimum call control in the Internet facsimile communication according to the ITU-T recommendations T.38 protocol. SOLUTION: A priority ranking table 801 stores the telephone number of an ISP access point as a calling opposite party, the caller facsimile machine references a reliability table 802 or 803 according to the priority, checks whether reliability data with respect to the past Internet facsimile communication performed by an opposite facsimile machine or a combination of providers of the opposite facsimile machine exist, and decides whether the facsimile machine makes a call to the calling opposite party on the basis of the evaluation of the reliability data when the reliability data exist. When no reliability data exist, the facsimile machine selects a calling opposite party stored in a storage provider table 804 and makes a call thereto.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to ITU-T recommendation T.264 on a communication path to a partner facsimile machine. The present invention relates to a facsimile machine using an Internet facsimile protocol conforming to No. 38, a facsimile machine control method, and a facsimile machine control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various techniques have been proposed for using a facsimile communication via the Internet by connecting a facsimile directly or indirectly via a relay device or a gateway device to the Internet, which has been remarkably spreading. Has been done.

By utilizing the Internet, new advantages can be obtained in facsimile communication.
For example, conventional facsimile communication uses a voice line such as a general public line (PSTN), and in this conventional system, charges are usually made according to the communication distance, but in communication via the Internet, communication distance is used. Since there is no charge according to (there is no charge according to communication time in some cases), there is an advantage that data can be sent to a partner terminal in a remote place such as outside the city or overseas at low cost.

At present, the following methods are known for facsimiles utilizing the Internet, that is, Internet facsimiles.

(1) ITU-T Recommendation T. 38 based real-time Internet facsimile communication: Facsimile gateways are provided on both sides of the IP network, and ITU-T Recommendation T.38 is used. 30 protocols IP (TCP / IP or UD
P / IP) relay. The transmitting-side client facsimile machine and the receiving-side client facsimile machine are the same as those of the conventional T.30. It operates using the 30 protocol. Current Recommendation T. 38 is T. 30 protocol-T. 38 IFAX
The basic configuration for mutual conversion between protocols (protocols between gateways) is the center, and the detailed configuration of communication such as the method of designating the telephone number of the client facsimile device on the receiving side to the gateway is not defined. It is also possible to integrate the sending side client facsimile machine and the emitting gateway, or the receiving side client facsimile machine and the receiving gateway, respectively. In this case, especially when the receiving side client facsimile machine and the receiving gateway are integrated. Would probably specify the receiving station by IP address or host name instead of telephone number.

(2) ITU-T Recommendation T. Internet facsimile based on 37: M facsimile image data
Store in email text in IME email format and send as email. The e-mail text is connected to the mail server via dial-up (PPP) or LAN and is transmitted by the SMTP protocol. Unless the receiving station can directly receive mail by the SMTP protocol, the receiving station connects to its own mail server by dial-up or the like and receives data by the mail receiving protocol such as POP or IMAP. In this method, the receiving station is usually designated by an electronic mail address. The receiving station does not necessarily have to be a facsimile machine. For example, the receiving station may be a PC (personal computer) or the like, and in this case, display and printing of the received image depend on the software configuration.

(3) Provider-dependent Internet Facsimile: A method for connecting a facsimile to the Internet on the side of a telecommunications carrier (service provider) to which the facsimile is connected without changing the conventional facsimile: this method Various configurations are conceivable. For example, a configuration in which a voice line is relayed via an IP network such as a so-called Internet telephone, or the above-mentioned T. Three
8 and T. 37 gateways and mail servers are provided on the service provider side. Normally, the partner station is designated by a telephone number, but actually, the call is made to the access point of the service provider, and the partner station telephone number is transmitted by a DTMF signal or the like.

Of the above, the T. In the 38 Internet facsimile system, the time from the start of transmission to the end of reception by the other party is short, and image information is transmitted in substantially real time as compared with other systems (for example, there is no information delay in a mail server). Also, like the conventional facsimile machine, while checking the capabilities and status of the other party,
That is, since communication can be performed while negotiation is performed, there are advantages such as consistency of transmission and reception and promptness of delivery confirmation. However, when transmitting the same image information, there is a demerit that the amount of information to be transmitted on the Internet is large and the communication time is long. Also, send /
The receiving client device is a conventional T.50. Although it may be the same as the 30 facsimile machine, a gateway machine is always required.

T. of (2) The Internet facsimile system of the E-mail system by 37 sends the facsimile data by the same method as the E-mail, and therefore has an advantage that no new resource is required on the Internet side. Also,
Since no real-time protocol conversion is performed,
T. of (1). Although the Internet communication occupancy time is shorter than that of the No. 38 method, it has a demerit in immediacy and quick delivery confirmation.

The provider-dependent method of (3) is
T. of (1). Similar to the 38 system, the conventional facsimile apparatus can be used almost as it is, but when the systems (1) and (2) are used, the above advantages and disadvantages can be applied as they are. In a method of relaying a voice signal on an IP network like the Internet telephone method, a communication error may occur due to signal delay or loss. Three
8, T. There is a problem that the transfer amount on the gateway side on the Internet becomes larger than any of the 37 methods.

The "Internet" of the "Internet facsimile" referred to in the ITU-T recommendation as described above.
The term includes networks such as so-called intranets and VPNs, and to be more precise, it is appropriate to simply describe the network as an IP connection, "IP network", etc., but the term "Internet" used below. Unless otherwise noted, I in the broad sense of the ITU-T Recommendation
It means P network.

[0012]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As shown above,
There are merits and demerits in the Internet facsimile system which communicates via the IP network.

In particular, ITU-T Recommendation T. In the T.38 protocol (hereinafter, simply referred to as the T.38 protocol, the same applies to other protocols), the client facsimile apparatus uses the conventional T.38 protocol. 4 / T. Although there is an advantage that the facsimile machine of the 30 system is sufficient, the current recommendation T.30. 38, T. 30 protocol on the IP network. Only the basic configuration for converting into 38 protocols and transmitting is shown,
T. The technology for guaranteeing reliable facsimile communication by the 38 method is not so accumulated.

In an IP network, especially in a wide area network such as the Internet, the route and the signal transmission speed are not guaranteed, and if a large signal delay occurs, the communication between the gateway and the client facsimile machine ends in error. There is a possibility that it will end up. Therefore, T. Whether or not the Internet facsimile communication according to the No. 38 protocol can be executed without error depends largely on the transmission quality of the IP network portion.

For example, Recommendation T.W. In the case of Internet facsimile communication according to the T.38, the facsimile device directly connects to the IP network and directly transmits the T.38. A configuration is conceivable in which the 38 protocol is used to communicate with the other party's gateway to the other party's facsimile machine (the facsimile machine also serves as a facsimile gateway). In the case of such communication, IP
If it is not always connected to the network, it will connect to the IP network via ISP (Internet Service Provider) by dial-up.
If P access point (regardless of whether it belongs to the same ISP or not) can be selected, it depends on which ISP access point is called / connected to connect to the IP network, or further to the partner gateway. The signal delay and other communication conditions may vary greatly depending on the configuration of the route between them.

Further, the facsimile machine is a T.S. T.38 gateway to call T.38. T.30 protocol to communicate with the gateway. Even when the conversion to the 38 protocol is left to the gateway, if the facsimile device can select a plurality of facsimile gateways, it depends on which facsimile gateway is called / connected to perform communication, and the same as above. The signal delay and other communication conditions may vary greatly depending on the configuration of the route from the gateway that made the call to the other gateway.

This is because the transmission quality of the network provided by the ISP, the transmission quality of the network in which the facsimile gateway is installed, and the configuration of the network topology with the other gateway are various. For example, regarding ISPs, a provider that provides an internet connection service at a low cost generally has a low speed connection with a backbone line or the like. Alternatively, even if the network of such an inexpensive provider is used, if the partner gateway is connected to the network of the same provider, then the T.M. It is also conceivable that a speed sufficient for 38 communication can be obtained.

Therefore, whether or not the calling facsimile machine calls the first calling party, that is, the ISP access point or the facsimile gateway is an important issue. It is considered that call control is necessary to ensure the reliability of the facsimile communication (Internet facsimile communication) according to the No. 38 protocol.

The subject of the present invention is the ITU-T Recommendation T.264. 38
In facsimile communication using the protocol (Internet facsimile communication), optimal call control is performed,
This is to ensure that facsimile communication via the IP network can be performed.

[0020]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a facsimile gateway registered in a registration memory or one of access points of an Internet service provider is selected as a calling party. Call is made and the ITU-T recommendation T.264 is provided on the communication path to the partner facsimile machine. In a facsimile apparatus that performs Internet facsimile communication using the Internet facsimile protocol conforming to No. 38, a method for controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a control program for the facsimile apparatus, a reliability data table memory that stores reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication A configuration is adopted in which the calling party is selected based on the stored reliability data.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<System Configuration> FIGS. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a communication system to which the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a plurality of ISs.
One of the P access points (2a, 6a, 7a, 8a ...: Whether it belongs to the same ISP or not, regardless of whether it belongs to another ISP) is selected and directly connected to the partner gateway 4. T. 38 shows a configuration in which communication is performed using the 38 protocol. On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a plurality of facsimile gateways (2b, 6b,
7b, 8b ...), and the T. T.30 protocol to communicate with the gateway. The conversion to the 38 protocol is a configuration in which it is left to the gateway.

Reference numerals 1 and 5 in FIGS.
Is a facsimile machine, and is a T.T. 38 is a client facsimile apparatus for performing 38 real-time Internet facsimile communication.

The facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. A ISP access point (2a, 6a, 7a,
8a) (so-called PP
Dial-up connection with P etc.).

Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 can be connected to the Internet facsimile gateways (2b, 6b, 7b, 8b ...) With the same modem.

1 and 2, reference numeral 3 is the Internet (IP network), which has a configuration in which a plurality of routers 31 to 46 interconnect a plurality of network segments having different network addresses, and the ISP access point of FIG. (2a, 6a, 7a, 8a) to the gateway 4 or the facsimile gateway (2
b, 6b, 7b, 8b ...)-IP between the gateways 4
The relay route of the packet is not single, and there may be a plurality of routes as shown.

In the present embodiment, the term "Internet" is used for the sake of convenience with respect to the network indicated by reference numeral 3, but actually the Internet 3 is an intranet or L.
It may be a closed network such as an AN.

The Internet facsimile gateway 4 complies with ITU-T recommendation T.264. 38 is an Internet facsimile gateway.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the above facsimile device 1 (or 5). In this case, T.S. capable of performing communication as shown in FIG. An old facsimile machine with only 30 protocols can be used to dial IP as shown in Fig. 1.
Connect to the network directly It shows a configuration in which some of the functions of a so-called facsimile gateway are integrated, in addition to the configuration for communication according to the No. 38 protocol.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 101 is a scanner for reading a transmission original, and 102 is a printer for image recording, which is composed of an LBP engine or the like. An image processing unit 103 controls input / output of transmitted / received images.
The image compression / decompression is performed by the image compression / decompression unit 104. Encoding methods such as MH (Modified Huffman) code, MR (Modified Read) code, and J-BIG code are used for compression / decompression of image data. The image processing unit 20 is configured as described above.

The lower part of FIG. 5 is the communication unit 30, which is the communication control unit 1.
09 and the line interface 116. The line interface 116 is an interface for connecting with a PSTN (analog line) 118,
It consists of an X modem and NCU.

T. In communication using the 30 protocol (in the case of FIG. 2), the communication control unit 109 uses the line interface 1
16 and PSTN 118. Connected to the Internet 3 via dial-up, When performing 38 communication (in the case of FIG. 1), the Internet 3 is connected via the line interface 116 and the PSTN 118. Alternatively, T. The line interface 116 can also be used for 37 communication.

The communication control unit 109 is a T.S. 30 / T. 38
(Or further T.37) communication protocols are supported. The communication control unit 109 is composed of a control circuit such as a microprocessor, and its control program is R
It is stored in the OM 109a. A RAM 109b is connected to the communication control unit 109, and a work area or a table memory (FIGS. 8 and 11:
Since this table memory area is used as a telephone number memory as described later, it is usually composed of a non-volatile RAM or the like and used as a memory area for other purposes such as battery backup.

FIG. 5 also shows Internet network protocol layers of TCP / IP and UDP / IP which do not necessarily correspond to physical circuits (reference numeral 11).
0, 111, 113). Reference numeral 110 is a UDP (User Datagram p) located in the transport layer.
protocol layer, which is a protocol for applications (users) to directly exchange independent UDP packets (datagrams). Reference numeral 111
Is a TCP (Trans) located in the transport layer.
(Mission Control Protocol)
It is a layer and has functions such as port designation and transmission control functions. Reference numeral 113 is an IP layer as a protocol of a network layer located below TCP / UDP.

The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the flow of data during transmission / reception, of which the solid line arrow indicates the flow of transmission data and the broken line arrow indicates the flow of reception data.

FIG. 3 shows the facsimile machine (IFAX) 1 to the gateway (4, 2b, 6b, 7) of FIG. 1 or 2.
b, 8b ...)-Facsimile apparatus (IFAX) 5 between T.B. 38 shows the state of communication.

The facsimile apparatus 1 (transmission IFAX) goes off-hook, and when a dial tone is returned, dialing is performed (201). The present invention relates to a technique for selecting a calling party by dialing.

In this dialing (201), as shown in FIG. 1, the ISP access points (2a, 6a, 7a, 8).
When making a call to a), the ISP access point to be called is simply called, but when making a call to the facsimile gateway (2b, 6b, 7b, 8b ...) As shown in FIG. The telephone number of the facsimile machine 5 of the other party is transmitted to the facsimile gateway (2b, 6b, 7b, 8b ...) by a method such as double dialing (for notification of the telephone number of the receiving facsimile machine even in the present Recommendation T.38). The details of the technology are not defined).

Then, in the case of FIG. 1, an IP connection (P) is made between the ISP access points (2a, 6a, 7a, 8a).
(Due to the PP, etc.) is established, the facsimile apparatus 1 on the transmitting side directly communicates with the gateway 4 of the other party in the T.P. 38 sessions are executed (202, 203).

Further, in the case of FIG. 30 sessions are executed (202), and the facsimile gateways (2b, 6b, 7b, 8
b)) and the other party's gateway 4. Three
Eight sessions are held (203).

The partner gateway 4 is a T.S. No. 38 session is used to make a call to the facsimile machine 5 on the receiving side, and a T.S. Execute 30 sessions (204).

FIG. 4 shows (T.30 protocol-). 38
Protocol-T. It shows a state of relaying 30 protocols. The arrow in FIG. 4 indicates the signal transmission direction. Facsimile device 1 (to gateways 2b, 6b, 7b,
8b ...) and signals shown between the gateway 4 and the facsimile device 5 are all ITU-T Recommendation T.8. 30 is defined. The signals between the gateways 2 to 4 are ITU-T Recommendation T.264. Defined in No. 38,
T. Corresponding to 30 signals, the contents of (TCP /
UDP) IP datagram encapsulation. Regarding the protocol conversion operation of FIG. 38
Since it is completely the same as the one described in (1), detailed description will be omitted here.

Next, communication control in the above configuration will be described. 6 to 8 show control in the configuration of FIG. 1 (determination of ISP access point to call), and FIG.
FIG. 11 shows control (determination of a gateway to make a call) in the configuration of FIG.

<Communication Control Example 1> In the case of the configuration shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the telephone numbers of a plurality of ISP access points (which may be different access points of the same provider) are registered in advance in the facsimile machine. Registration is performed in the table memory of the RAM 109b. FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the table memory 800 of the RAM 109b. Reference numeral 801 is a priority table and 804 is a holding provider table. The priority order table 801 stores the telephone numbers of the registered ISP access points selected together with a desired priority order selected by a predetermined user operation. The hold provider table 804 stores the telephone numbers of ISP access points registered without specifying the priority order by a predetermined user operation or the like. The user may carry out all the registration regarding each ISP access point, or the data regarding the ISP access point provided by the manufacturer of the facsimile apparatus 1 is stored in the holding provider table 804 by default, and the user desires the registration. ISP access point, priority table 8
It may be stored in 01.

In order to determine which ISP access point is to be called, the access points in the priority order table 801 are evaluated from the highest priority order by the procedure of FIG. This evaluation is performed based on the reliability of past real-time internet facsimile communication performed using the access point.

Therefore, in the case of FIG. 8, two reliability tables 802 and 803 are prepared. The reliability table 802 shows the reliability of real-time internet facsimile communication executed in the past, the telephone number of the provider on the side of the device, that is, the ISP access point (2a, 6a, 7a, 8a), and the telephone number of the communication partner at that time (or If the telephone number of the ISP provider access point used by the communication partner for Internet facsimile communication is known, the telephone number may be stored). Further, the reliability table 803 shows the reliability of the real-time Internet facsimile communication by the provider of the own device, that is, the ISP access point (2a,
6a, 7a, 8a) and the area code of the telephone number of the communication partner at that time (or I used by the communication partner for Internet facsimile communication).
If the telephone number of the SP provider access point is known, the area code of the telephone number may be stored).

The reliability data stored in the reliability tables 802 and 803 are evaluated in appropriate several stages such as “good”, “acceptable”, “difficult”, and “impossible” (the actual expression on the memory is However, it can be determined based on the number and probability of communication errors in past communication, for example. The reliability data need only be one that can express the reliability of past real-time Internet facsimile communications, and the method of calculating the reliability data is outside the scope of the present invention, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Although only one of the reliability tables 802 and 803 may be used, the data of the reliability table 802 is used first in the processing shown in FIGS. If not, reliability table 80
3 is used.

FIG. 6 shows the control for determining the ISP provider access point to be called by using the table of FIG. 8, and FIG. 7 shows the control procedure at the time of calling. The flows indicated by reference signs A and B in FIGS. 6 and 7 indicate that the flows with the same reference signs are continuous at that point.

At the time of making a call, the process shown in FIG. 6 is first performed to determine the ISP provider access point to make a call as described later. Then, steps S701 to S in FIG.
In 703, the line (PSTN 118) is captured using the line interface 116 (if the dial tone cannot be captured (S702), another process (S703) is executed), and in step S704, it is determined by the process of FIG. Call the other party, and 38 sessions (S70
5) is executed, and then on-hook (S706). In step S705, reliability data is generated according to the state of the communication executed at that time, and the reliability table 802/80
Accumulate (update) to 3.

In the process of determining the ISP provider access point to be called in FIG. 6, first, the variable n for indexing the priority table 801 is initialized (S
602), and subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is data in the reliability table 802 using the telephone number for the ISP provider access point in the priority table 801 indicated by the variable n (S604). That is, here, it is determined whether or not there is a combination of the access point telephone number indicated by the variable n and the telephone number of the communication partner of this time in the reliability table 802. Step S
When 604 is affirmed, it moves to step S605, and when it is denied, it moves to step S606.

In step S606, it is determined whether or not the data in the reliability table 803 using the area code exists for the ISP provider access point in the priority table 801 indicated by the variable n. That is, here, it is determined whether or not there is a combination of the area code of the access point telephone number indicated by the variable n and the area code of the telephone number of the communication partner of this time in the reliability table 802. When step S606 is affirmed, it transfers to step S607, and when denied, it transfers to step S610.

If step S604 is positive, the reliability data in the reliability table 802 using the telephone number in step S605 is "good" or "good".
It is determined whether or not the above. That is, here, it is checked whether or not a result of "good" or "good" or more is obtained in the past communication by the combination of the access point telephone number indicated by the variable n and the telephone number of the communication partner of this time. ing. When step S605 is affirmed, it transfers to step S608, and when denied, it transfers to step S612.

In step S608, the access point indicated by the current variable n is selected, the process of calling the access point is started, and then the actual call process of FIG. 7 is performed.

In step S612, it is determined whether n = m, that is, whether or not all the priority order tables 801 having m entries have been examined. When step S612 is affirmed, it transfers to step S614, and when denied, it transfers to step S613. In step S613, n is incremented and the process returns to step S604.
The above process is repeated for each access point entry in the next priority table 801.

In step S614, since all the priority table 801 has been checked, an access point is selected from the holding provider table 804 (for example, the first one is selected), and a process for calling the access point is started. After that, the actual call processing of FIG. 7 is performed.

On the other hand, if step S606 is positive, it is determined in step S607 whether or not the reliability data in the reliability table 803 using the area code is "good" or "good" or higher. . That is, here, in the past communication based on the combination of the area code of the access point telephone number indicated by the variable n and the area code of the telephone number of the communication partner of this time, “good”,
Or we are investigating whether or not the result of “OK” or higher is obtained. When step S607 is affirmed, it progresses to step S609, and when negative, step S611.
Move to.

In step S609, step S608
Similarly to, the access point indicated by the current variable n is selected, the process of calling the access point is started, and then the actual call process of FIG. 7 is performed.

In step S611, step S612.
Similarly, it is determined whether n = m, that is, whether or not all the priority order tables 801 having M entries have been examined.
If step S611 is positive, step S61
If No, go to step S613.

In step S610, the reliability table 8
Since there is no corresponding data in 02 and 803, the data of the access point indicated by the variable n is moved to the holding provider table 804. After that, step S61
By shifting to 1 (or S612) and repeating the above processing, when another access point cannot be determined from the priority table 801, this access can be used from the holding provider table 804. However,
The process in step S610 is merely an example, and, for example, the reliability data is not called (meaning that the combination of this access point and the partner station has not performed communication in the past), and the reliability is set. Sex data may be stored in the reliability table 802/803.

Alternatively, in step S610, it is conceivable to perform a process of lowering the priority of the access point in the priority table 801. In this case, it is necessary to update the priority order table 801 after the completion of the current call so that it will work in the next call.

As described above, in the configuration of FIG.
The facsimile device 1 can select an ISP access point to call. At this time, the ISP access point and the partner station (phone number or area code)
Based on the reliability data of past Internet real-time facsimile communication accumulated for each combination of
Since you can select an access point, you can select the calling party that matches the other facsimile machine based on the past results of Internet facsimile communication, you can perform optimal call control and reliably perform facsimile communication via the IP network. There is an excellent effect. Further, since the ISP access point is selected by the priority table 801, the ISP has the priority order specified by the user.
You can also select an access point.

<Example 2 of Communication Control> On the other hand, as shown in FIG. In the case of the configuration using the 30 protocol, the gateway determination process shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is executed. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 correspond to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, respectively, and reference numerals and step numbers in FIGS. 9 to 11 are the reference numerals and step numbers in the corresponding drawings. It is matched with the ones digit of.

An important difference between FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 6 to 8 is that the calling party to be determined is a facsimile gateway and the configuration of the table in FIG. Therefore, here, the configuration of the table of FIG. 11 will be described first.

The table of FIG. 11 is also the priority table 1
101, reliability tables 1102 and 1103, and a holding gateway table 1104.

The functions of the priority table 1101 and the holding gateway table 1104 are exactly the same as in the case of FIG. 8, and the difference from the priority table 1101 of FIG. 8 is stored not in the ISP access point but in the facsimile gateway ( 2b, 6b, 7b, 8b).

Furthermore, the reliability table 1102 in FIG.
Stores reliability data for each combination of the identification information of the gateway on the own side and the identification information of the gateway on the other side. In addition, the reliability table 1103 in FIG.
Reliability data is stored for some combinations of identification information of the gateway on the own side and the gateway on the other side.

In the case of the reliability table 1102, the identification information for identifying each gateway on the own side and the other side is I.
It may be a P address, a domain name, or a telephone number. In FIG. 11, for convenience, these pieces of information are expressed as “A-GW A” and “B-GW D”.

In the case of the reliability table 1103,
The area code in the telephone number, a part of the IP address or the domain name, such as the network part of the IP address or the part of the domain name excluding the host name may be used. In FIG. 11, for convenience, these pieces of information are “AAA”,
It is written as "CCC".

The flow of processing in FIGS. 9 and 10 corresponds to that in FIGS. 6 and 7, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. 6 and FIG. 7), the difference from FIGS. 6 and 7 is that the T. 30 communication and the use of the table data of FIG. 11 configured as described above for selecting the facsimile gateway.

As described above, in the configuration of FIG.
The facsimile device 1 can select a facsimile gateway to call. At this time, since the facsimile gateway can be selected based on the reliability data of the past Internet real-time facsimile communication accumulated for each combination of the facsimile gateway and the partner station (phone number, area code, domain name or IP address), the past Based on the results of Internet facsimile communication, you can select the calling party that matches the facsimile machine of the other party, perform optimal calling control, and ensure IP
There is an excellent effect that facsimile communication can be performed via the network. Further, since the facsimile gateway is selected according to the priority table 801,
It is also possible to select the facsimile gateway in the priority specified by the user.

The structure of the table data in FIGS. 8 and 11 is interchangeable, and for example, I to be called as shown in FIG.
In the configuration for selecting the SP access point, the ISP
It is conceivable to use a configuration in which reliability data is stored for a combination of the access point and the gateway (address, telephone number or area code) of the other party. On the contrary, in the configuration for selecting the gateway to be called as shown in FIG. 2, use the configuration for accumulating the reliability data on the combination of the gateway on the own side and the partner station or partner provider (telephone number or area code). Can also be considered.

In the above, a dedicated machine was considered as the configuration of the facsimile machine (FIG. 5), but the hardware form of the equipment is not limited to this, and for example, a combination of a personal computer, a modem and facsimile communication software is used. The communication control according to the present invention can be implemented even in a configuration for performing Internet facsimile communication. In that case, the communication control of the present invention can be supplied as a part of the facsimile communication software, or as a driver program or a library program forming a part of the operating system.

[0075]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a call is made by selecting one of the facsimile gateway registered in the registration memory as the calling party or the access point of the Internet service provider. ITU- on the communication path to the other facsimile machine
Recommendation T. In a facsimile apparatus that performs Internet facsimile communication using the Internet facsimile protocol conforming to No. 38, a method for controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a control program for the facsimile apparatus, a reliability data table memory that stores reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication Since a configuration is adopted in which the calling party is selected based on the stored reliability data, it is possible to select the calling party that matches the partner facsimile machine based on the past results of Internet facsimile communication, and the optimum calling party can be selected. Call control,
There is an excellent effect that the facsimile communication via the IP network can be surely performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication environment to which a facsimile communication technique of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing different communication environments to which the facsimile communication technology of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 illustrates a T.F. between a client facsimile machine, an emitting gateway, a receiving gateway, and a client facsimile machine. It is an explanatory view showing a signal sequence of 38 protocols.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating T.P. on an IP network. It is explanatory drawing which showed the mode of 38 sessions.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile device capable of implementing the communication technology of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing selection control of a calling party in the facsimile apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a calling procedure of the facsimile apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a data table used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing selection control of a calling party in the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a calling procedure of the facsimile apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a data table used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 5 Facsimile devices 2a, 6a, 7a, 8a ISP access points 2b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 4 Facsimile gateway 3 Internet 20 Image processing unit 30 Communication unit 31-46 Router 101 Scanner 104 Image compression / expansion unit 109 Communication control unit 116 Line Interface 118 PSTN (Analog Line) 801, 1101 Priority Tables 802, 803, 1102, 1103 Reliability Table 804 Hold Provider Table 1104 Hold Gateway Table

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takehiro Yoshida             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Ishikawa             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Yoshio Yoshio             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Yukio Murata             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Shunichi Fujise             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA33 AA35 AB42 AC22                       AC40 AC42 AC51 AE14 AF02                 5C075 AA00

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A call is made by selecting one of a facsimile gateway registered in a registration memory as a calling party or an access point of an Internet service provider to make a call, and performing an IT on a communication path to a partner facsimile machine.
UT Recommendation T.T. In a facsimile apparatus that performs Internet facsimile communication using an Internet facsimile protocol conforming to No. 38, a reliability data table memory that stores reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication, and the reliability stored in the reliability data table memory. A facsimile apparatus comprising control means for selecting the calling party based on the sex data. 2. The reliability data is stored in the reliability data table memory for each combination of the calling party, the partner facsimile machine, or the provider or gateway on the partner facsimile machine side in the Internet facsimile communication executed in the past. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is provided. 3. The calling party is registered in a priority table in a registration memory with a predetermined priority, and the reliability data table memory is referred to by this priority to refer to the calling party and the facsimile device, or Check whether or not there is reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication executed by the combination of the partner facsimile machine provider or gateway, and if such reliability data exists, based on the evaluation of the reliability data, The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to make a call to the calling party. 4. Reliability regarding past Internet facsimile communication executed by the combination of the calling party and the facsimile apparatus, or the provider or gateway on the facsimile apparatus side by referring to the reliability data table memory in the priority order. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the data does not exist, the calling party stored in the holding table in the registration memory is selected to make a call. 5. A facsimile gateway registered in a registration memory as a calling party or one of access points of an Internet service provider is selected to make a call, and IT is provided on a communication path to a partner facsimile machine.
UT Recommendation T.T. In a method of controlling a facsimile apparatus that performs Internet facsimile communication using an Internet facsimile protocol conforming to No. 38, the reliability data table memory for storing reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication stores the reliability data based on the reliability data. A method of controlling a facsimile apparatus, comprising the step of selecting a calling party. 6. The reliability data is stored in the reliability data table memory for each combination of the calling party, the partner facsimile machine, or the provider or gateway on the partner facsimile machine side in the Internet facsimile communication executed in the past. The method of controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the method is performed. 7. The calling party is registered in a priority order table in a registration memory with a predetermined priority order, the reliability data table memory is referred to by this priority order, and the calling party party and the facsimile machine, or Check whether or not there is reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication executed by the combination of the provider or the gateway on the partner facsimile machine side, and if the reliability data exists, based on the evaluation of the reliability data, 6. The method of controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not to call the calling party. 8. Reliability relating to past Internet facsimile communication executed by a combination of the calling party and the facsimile apparatus, or a provider or gateway on the facsimile apparatus side by referring to the reliability data table memory in the priority order. 8. The method of controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the data does not exist, the calling party stored in the holding table in the registration memory is selected to make the call. 9. A facsimile gateway registered in a registration memory as a calling party or one of access points of an Internet service provider is selected to make a call, and IT is provided on a communication path to a partner facsimile machine.
UT Recommendation T.T. In a control program for a facsimile apparatus that performs Internet facsimile communication using an Internet facsimile protocol conforming to No. 38, the above-mentioned transmission based on reliability data stored in a reliability data table memory that stores reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication. A control program for a facsimile machine, comprising a step of selecting a call partner. 10. The reliability data is stored in the reliability data table memory for each combination of the calling party, the partner facsimile machine, or the provider or gateway on the partner facsimile machine side in the Internet facsimile communication executed in the past. The control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, which is executed. 11. The calling party is registered in a priority order table in a registration memory with a predetermined priority order, and the reliability data table memory is referred to with this priority order to refer to the calling party party and the facsimile machine, or Check whether or not there is reliability data regarding past Internet facsimile communication executed by the combination of the provider or the gateway on the partner facsimile machine side, and if the reliability data exists, based on the evaluation of the reliability data, The control program for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a control step for determining whether to make a call to the calling party. 12. Reliability regarding past Internet facsimile communication executed by a combination of the calling party and the facsimile apparatus, or a provider or gateway on the facsimile apparatus side by referring to the reliability data table memory in the priority order. 12. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a control step for selecting a calling party stored in a holding table in the registration memory and making a call when there is no data. Control program.