JP2005223693A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine, efficiently utilizing a plurality of available communication networks by making increasing availability for selection. <P>SOLUTION: When setting at an operation display unit 5 for setting the presence or absence of the utilization of a gate keeper or an SIP server in advance is set to be setting for utilizing the gate keeper or the SIP server in transmission, the facsimile machine 1 handles the telephone number of a transmission destination as the destination of real-time Internet facsimile communication, and requests the conversion of the transmission destination telephone number to an IP address, to the gate keeper or to the SIP server. When the conversion of the transmission destination telephone number into the IP address is succeessful, the real-time Internet facsimile communication is conducted. When the conversion of the transmission destination telephone number into IP address ends in failure, a public line is used for facsimile communication. Accordingly, the facsimile communications which uses an inexpensive communication network can be conducted, without carrying out the selective operations of the communication network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus that selects and uses a plurality of available communication networks efficiently and with improved usability.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet has become widespread due to the development of communication networks, and Internet facsimile machines that perform facsimile communication using the Internet have also been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-234343 and 2000-22814). Gazette, JP-A-11-298520, etc.).

  In Internet facsimile machines, RT-IFAX (real-time Internet facsimile machines are different from Store & Forward type, which relies on e-mail infrastructure, so that facsimile documents can be sent and received by direct IP communication between terminals. Has been.

  In the communication of the Internet facsimile machine, Recommendation T. of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). 38 (ITU-T Recommendation) has been proposed. The communication protocol of 38 is T.38. It is a simple mapping to an IP network of 30 protocols, and a part of CSI may be transmitted with one packet, or conversely, CSI + DIS information may be transmitted with one packet. This recommendation T.W. 38. Revisions have been made for consistency with H.323 terminals (multimedia communication systems on packet networks).

  Recommendation T. 38 exchanges an IFP (Internet Fax Protocol) packet to transmit / receive a facsimile document. The protocol uses TCP or UDP as a transport, and the format of each packet is different.

  In RT-IFAX, the destination designation depends on the use environment. When a gatekeeper or SIP server that performs address conversion is on the same network, the gatekeeper has a telephone number and an IP address (Internet Protocol). Address) to enable communication. For example, the gatekeeper is connected to the gateway and controls the gateway to convert the telephone number into an IP address, such as converting the telephone number into an IP address for accessing an intranet.

  In other words, in an Internet facsimile apparatus that supports not only public lines but also networks, communication can be performed using either the public line or the Internet, and conventionally any communication network is used. If the user selects whether to perform communication using the operation unit, it is possible to perform communication by specifying the other party information, or even if the communication network to be used is not directly selected. Some users select a desired communication network by inputting a number separately (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, even during real-time Internet facsimile transmission, a telephone number can be designated as a transmission partner, and the same operation as facsimile transmission to a public line is possible. In addition, it is possible to transmit to the other party connected only to the public line via the gateway device by designating the alias telephone number of the gateway device that passes through and the telephone number of the final partner ( Patent Document 2).

  Even when such a gateway device is used, the user can directly specify the destination information directly on the operation unit, or the user can input the first number of the destination number of the destination, so that the user can Communication network can be selected.

JP 2002-218104 A JP 2000-134265 A

  However, in the above prior art, the user can perform communication using one of a plurality of stored communication networks by performing an operation of selecting a communication network directly from an operation unit or an operation of selecting a communication network indirectly. Therefore, there is a need for improvement in order to appropriately reduce communication costs while improving usability.

  That is, for the user, even if the other party of communication is not mistaken, as long as the document is appropriately communicated to the other party, communication may be performed using any communication network. In such a case, designating the communication network every time is a complicated operation and the usability is poor. In general, it is cheaper to communicate over a network than to use a public line, but the method of selecting and specifying the communication network used by the user supports both communication networks. Even in such a case, the use of a public line may be specified, and there is a need for improvement in order to appropriately reduce the communication cost.

  In addition, when a gatekeeper or SIP server is provided, it is possible to communicate with an intended destination by designating a telephone number. However, in an environment where a gatekeeper or SIP server cannot be used, designation by a telephone number is intended. It is impossible to communicate with the other party, which is impossible with the conventional method. In this case, the IP address or host name must be specified, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated and the usability is poor compared to the specification of the telephone number.

  Therefore, in the invention according to claim 1, when the setting in the selection means for setting whether to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server in advance is set to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server at the time of transmission, the transmission is performed. Treat the destination telephone number as the destination of real-time Internet facsimile communication, request the gatekeeper or SIP server to convert the destination telephone number to the IP address, and convert the destination telephone number to the IP address. If conversion is successful, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed. If conversion of the destination telephone number to IP address fails, facsimile communication is performed using a public line, regardless of the communication network used. For users who need to send data reliably, An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that performs a facsimile communication using a cheaper communication network that can be used for a transmission partner without performing a selection operation, thereby improving the usability and reducing the communication cost. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gateway area code address table in which IP addresses of a plurality of gateway devices are associated with area codes of telephone numbers of the respective gateway devices, and the setting of the selection means is a gatekeeper or SIP server If the area code in the gateway area code address table is the area code that matches the beginning of the destination phone number, determine whether the area code is the same. If there is, the gatekeeper or SIP server performs real-time Internet facsimile communication via the area code gateway device, and if there is no matching area code, performs facsimile communication using a public line. Even in an unusable environment, you can communicate just by performing the same destination designation operation as when it is available. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that performs a facsimile communication using a cheaper communication network that can be used for a transmission partner without performing a selection operation, thereby improving the usability and reducing the communication cost. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gateway neighborhood area code address table in which IP addresses of a plurality of gateway devices are associated with neighborhood area codes of each gateway device, and the setting of the selection means is a gatekeeper or SIP server If it is set not to use, the gateway neighborhood area code address table determines whether there is a neighborhood area code that matches the beginning of the destination telephone number, and the matching neighborhood area code is If there is, the real-time type Internet facsimile communication through the gateway device of the neighboring area code is performed, and if there is no matching neighboring area code, the facsimile communication is performed using the public line, and only through the public line. Communication costs when communicating from and through a gateway device. Provided is a facsimile apparatus that automatically reduces communication costs by performing communication using the gateway apparatus when communicating to a destination having a nearby area code where a gateway apparatus is expected to be low. The purpose is that.

  The facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is connected to at least a public line, and has a facsimile communication function for transmitting / receiving a document to / from another facsimile apparatus via the public line and a document transmission / reception in real time via the Internet The network facsimile apparatus having a real-time type Internet facsimile communication function has a selection means for setting in advance whether to use a gatekeeper or a SIP server, and is set to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server at the time of transmission. The destination telephone number is treated as the destination of the real-time Internet facsimile communication, the gatekeeper or the SIP server is requested to convert the destination telephone number into an IP address, and the destination Destination If the conversion to the IP address of the number succeeds, the real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed. If the conversion of the destination telephone number to the IP address fails, the facsimile communication is performed using the public line. The above objective has been achieved.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the facsimile apparatus includes a gateway area code address table in which IP addresses of a plurality of gateway apparatuses are associated with area codes of telephone numbers of the gateway apparatuses. When the setting of the selection means is set not to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server, the area code of the gateway area code address table matches the head part of the destination telephone number. It is determined whether or not there is an area code, and if the area code of the gateway area code address table has an area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number, the gateway device of the area code Real-time Internet facsimile communication via the gateway area code Without area code that matches the beginning of the area code to the transmission destination telephone number of the cable, it may perform facsimile communication using the public line.

  For example, as described in claim 3, the facsimile apparatus includes a gateway neighborhood area code address table that associates IP addresses of a plurality of gateway devices with area codes near the gateway devices, If the setting of the selection means is a setting that does not use the gatekeeper or the SIP server, a neighboring area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number in the gateway neighboring area code address table. If there is a neighboring area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number in the gateway neighboring area code address table, real-time passing through the gateway device of the neighboring area code Type Internet facsimile communication and the gateway area code Without close area code that matches the beginning of the transmission destination telephone number to the table, it may perform facsimile communication using the public line.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the setting in the selection means for setting whether or not the gatekeeper or the SIP server is used in advance is set to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server at the time of transmission. The destination telephone number is treated as the destination of the real-time Internet facsimile communication, the gatekeeper or the SIP server is requested to convert the destination telephone number into the IP address, and the IP address of the destination telephone number If conversion to an address is successful, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed, and if conversion of the destination telephone number to an IP address fails, facsimile communication is performed using a public line. For users who need to send a fax without fail. Makes it possible to perform facsimile communication using a cheaper communication network that can be used for a transmission partner without performing a selection operation of the communication network, thereby improving usability and reducing communication cost. be able to.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the gateway area code address table that associates the IP addresses of the plurality of gateway apparatuses with the area codes of the telephone numbers of the respective gateway apparatuses is provided, and the setting of the selection means is performed. If the setting is not to use a gatekeeper or SIP server, determine whether the area code of the gateway area code address table has an area code that matches the beginning of the destination telephone number, When there is a matching area code, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed via the gateway device of the area code, and when there is no matching area code, facsimile communication is performed using a public line. Even in environments where SIP servers cannot be used, the same destination designation operation as when available This makes it possible to perform facsimile communication using a cheaper communication network that can be used for a transmission partner without performing a selection operation of the communication network, thereby improving usability and reducing communication cost. Can be reduced.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gateway neighborhood area code address table that associates the IP addresses of a plurality of gateway apparatuses with the area codes of the neighborhood of each gateway apparatus, and the setting of the selection means is performed. If it is set not to use a gatekeeper or SIP server, it is determined whether there is a neighboring area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number in the gateway neighboring area code address table. If there is a neighboring area code, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed via the gateway device of the neighboring area code, and if there is no matching neighboring area code, facsimile communication is performed using a public line. Rather than direct communication via a line only, communication is performed via a gateway device. When communicating to a partner with a nearby area code where there is a gateway device that is expected to have a lower communication cost, the communication cost is automatically reduced by performing communication using the gateway device. Can be.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 3 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, an operation display unit 5, an image information reading unit 6, an image information output unit 7, An encoding / decoding unit 8, an image information storage unit 9, a modem 10, a PSTN control unit 11, a LAN control unit 12, a data bus 13, and the like are provided, and each unit is connected by a data bus 13.

  The ROM 3 stores various programs such as a basic processing program of the facsimile apparatus 1 and a communication network automatic selection processing program to be described later, as well as various data and system data necessary for executing these processing programs. Has been.

  The CPU 2 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1 while using the RAM 4 as a work memory based on a program in the ROM 3, executes basic processing as the facsimile machine 1, and executes communication network automatic selection processing described later.

  The operation display unit (selection means) 5 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a start key, and a function key, and also includes a display (for example, a liquid crystal display). Various commands such as a transmission operation are input from the operation keys. The display shows the contents of commands input from the operation keys and various information notified from the facsimile apparatus 1 to the operator. In particular, the operation display unit 5 performs a setting operation necessary for communication network automatic selection processing such as setting whether to use a gatekeeper or a SIP server in communication.

  For example, a line image scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like is used as the image information reading unit 6. The image information reading unit 6 reads an image of a document at a predetermined resolution and outputs it as image information. .

  The image information output unit 7 uses, for example, an electrophotographic recording device, and records and outputs an image on a sheet based on the received image information and the image information read by the image information reading unit 6, and a communication report. And other information on paper.

  The image information storage unit 9 is composed of a readable / writable memory such as a RAM or a hard disk, and mainly stores image information for transmission and received image information. The image information storage unit 9 stores the image information for each predetermined file unit, and the CPU 2 manages the image information in the image information storage unit 9 for each file.

  The encoding / decoding unit 8 is for improving the efficiency of storing the image information in the image information storage unit 9 and shortening the transmission time. The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes the image information according to a predetermined encoding method, Decode the encoded image information.

  The modem 10 operates under the control of the CPU 2 to modulate the transmission signal and demodulate the reception signal, and set the signal level to be transmitted.

  The PSTN control unit 11 is connected to a PSTN (Public Swiched Telephone Network) and operates under the control of the CPU 2 to automatically receive a call from the PSTN and to the PSTN. Perform automatic call processing.

  The LAN control unit 12 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and implements mail transmission and real-time Internet facsimile communication via the LAN.

  As described above, the facsimile machine 1 is connected to the PSTN and the LAN, and is in a state of accommodating a plurality of lines.

  The LAN or PSTN to which the facsimile apparatus 1 is connected is connected to the PSTN or LAN via a gateway (not shown), and a plurality of facsimiles with which the facsimile apparatus 1 communicates via the exchange are connected to the PSTN. The device is connected. Also, a gatekeeper or SIP server is connected to the LAN, and the gatekeeper or SIP server controls the connection between the LAN and the PSTN via the gateway by assigning the PSTN telephone number and the LAN IP address. In addition, a facsimile apparatus such as the facsimile apparatus 1 on the LAN can be connected to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  The facsimile apparatus 1 can select whether or not to use a gatekeeper or a SIP server by operating the operation display unit 5. When the gatekeeper or the SIP server is not used, the facsimile machine 1 uses the IP address. It is necessary to specify the device.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a gateway IP that associates the IP address of the gateway apparatus to which the communication destination is connected with the prefix (area code) of the gateway apparatus and the neighboring area code. An address conversion table (gateway area code address table, gateway neighborhood area code address table) is stored in the RAM 4, and this gateway IP address conversion table is registered in advance by the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 using a setting menu or the like.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs a communication network automatic selection process for appropriately selecting one communication network among a plurality of available communication networks as a communication network at the time of transmission. In the following description, a case where a gatekeeper is used will be described in order to simplify the description.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the facsimile apparatus 1, when the destination is designated by the user and the transmission start key is pressed with the document set (step S101), the CPU 2 reads the image information reading unit. 6 reads the original (step S102), and when reading of the original by the image information reading unit 6 is completed, it is checked whether or not the setting is made to use the gatekeeper (step S103). Whether or not to use the gatekeeper is set in advance by the user by operating a key on the operation display unit 5.

  In the operation at the time of transmission, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, it is necessary to specify whether the transmission is G3 facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission using a network. However, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, this G3 facsimile transmission is performed. There is no need to specify whether the transmission is facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission. Further, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the destination can be specified in the telephone number format, that is, the alias telephone number in the case of Internet facsimile transmission as in the case of G3 facsimile transmission.

  In step S103, if it is set to use the gatekeeper, the CPU 2 first notifies the gatekeeper of the designated telephone number or alias telephone number, and requests conversion to an IP address. (Step S104), it is checked whether the conversion to the IP address is successful (Step S105).

  When the conversion to the IP address is successful in step S105, the CPU 2 determines that transmission to the designated destination is performed using the network, and performs Internet facsimile transmission using the acquired IP address. Then, the process ends (step S106).

  If the conversion to the IP address fails in step S105, the CPU 2 determines that transmission to the designated destination is performed using the PSTN (public line), and the telephone number designated by the user is determined. The call is sent out to the line, a G3 facsimile transmission is performed, and the process is terminated (step S107).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the gatekeeper is not used, the CPU 2 performs the gateway IP address conversion table (for the gateway device) stored in the RAM 4 of the own device for the designated telephone number. 2), the IP address is converted (step S108).

  In this case, the CPU 2 uses the Ta conversion portion of the gateway IP address conversion table shown in FIG. In other words, the Ta translation portion of the gateway IP address translation table associates the IP address of the gateway device with the area code (prefix) of the telephone number of the gateway device.

  Then, in this telephone number-IP address conversion process, the CPU 2 checks whether there is an area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number specified in the prefix (area code) of the gateway IP address conversion table. Whether or not the conversion is successful is determined based on whether or not there is a matching area code (step S109).

  If the conversion is successful in step S109, the CPU 2 determines that Internet facsimile transmission is to be performed via the gateway device having the IP address corresponding to the prefix (city code), and the network device is connected to the gateway device. The gateway device and the other party use the public line to perform facsimile transmission, and the process ends (step S110).

  If the conversion is not successful in step S109, that is, if there is no area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number specified in the prefix (area code) of the gateway IP address conversion table, the CPU 2 Further, the specified telephone number is converted into an IP address using another table portion of the gateway IP address conversion table held in the RAM 4 of the own device, that is, the Tb conversion portion of FIG. .

  In this case, the CPU 2 converts the Tb conversion part of the gateway IP address conversion table shown in FIG. 2, that is, the IP address of the gateway device and the area code (prefix) of the telephone number in the vicinity of the area where the gateway device exists. Use the one that is associated with. Then, in this telephone number-IP address conversion process, the CPU 2, as in the case of the Ta conversion part, has a city that matches the head part of the destination telephone number specified in the neighborhood area code of the gateway IP address conversion table. It is checked whether or not there is an area code, and it is determined whether or not the conversion is successful based on whether or not there is a matching area code (step S112).

  If the conversion is successful in step S112, the CPU 2 determines that the Internet facsimile transmission is performed via the gateway device having the IP address corresponding to the neighboring area code (prefix), and the network is used up to the gateway device. Then, the facsimile transmission is performed from the gateway device to the other party using the public line, and the process is terminated (step S113).

  If the conversion fails in step S112, the CPU 2 determines that the public line is to be used, calls the telephone number designated by the user to the line, performs G3 facsimile transmission, and ends the process (step S112). S114).

  In the above description, the case where the gatekeeper is connected has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a SIP server is connected instead of the gatekeeper.

  As described above, in the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the setting in the operation display unit 5 that sets in advance whether to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server at the time of transmission is set to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server. The destination telephone number is treated as a destination for real-time Internet facsimile communication, the gatekeeper or the SIP server is requested to convert the destination telephone number into an IP address, and the destination telephone number If the conversion to the IP address is successful, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed, and if the conversion of the destination telephone number to the IP address fails, facsimile communication is performed using the public line.

  Therefore, for users who need to perform facsimile transmission reliably regardless of the communication network to be used, a cheaper communication network that can be used for the other party of transmission is used without selecting the communication network. Facsimile communication can be performed, the usability can be improved, and the communication cost can be reduced.

  Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with a gateway IP address conversion table in which the IP addresses of a plurality of gateway apparatuses are associated with the area codes of the telephone numbers of the respective gateway apparatuses, and the setting of the operation display unit 5 is a gate. If it is set not to use the keeper or the SIP server, it is determined whether or not there is an area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number in the area code of the Ta conversion part of the gateway IP address conversion table. If there is a matching area code, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed via the gateway device of the area code, and if there is no matching area code, facsimile communication is performed using a public line. .

  Therefore, even in an environment where a gatekeeper or a SIP server cannot be used, it is cheaper than that which can be used for a transmission partner only by performing a destination designation operation similar to the case where it can be used, without performing a network selection operation. Facsimile communication using a simple communication network can be performed, the usability can be improved and the communication cost can be reduced.

  Further, the facsimile machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with a gateway IP address conversion table in which the IP addresses of a plurality of gateway devices are associated with the area codes in the vicinity of each gateway device, and the setting of the operation display unit 5 is a gatekeeper. Alternatively, if the setting is such that the SIP server is not used, it is determined whether there is a neighboring area code that matches the head part of the transmission destination telephone number in the Tb conversion part of the gateway IP address conversion table. If there is a neighboring area code, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed via the gateway device of the neighboring area code, and if there is no matching neighboring area code, facsimile communication is performed using a public line.

  Therefore, a partner with a nearby area code where a gateway device is expected to have a lower communication cost when communicating from and through a gateway device than when communicating directly only through a public line. When communicating first, the communication cost can be automatically reduced by performing communication using the gateway device.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus that selects and uses a plurality of usable communication networks efficiently and with improved usability when connected to a plurality of usable communication networks. can do.

1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus to which one embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied. The figure which shows an example of the gateway IP address conversion table stored in RAM of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing communication network automatic selection processing by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 Facsimile device 2 CPU
3 ROM
4 RAM
5 Operation Display Unit 6 Image Information Reading Unit 7 Image Information Output Unit 8 Encoding / Decoding Unit 9 Image Information Storage Unit 10 Modem 11 PSTN Control Unit 12 LAN Control Unit 13 Data Bus

2 Input document 3 1D image sensor 4 Wide lens 5 Illumination lamp

Claims (3)

  A network facsimile machine having at least a facsimile communication function connected to a public line and transmitting / receiving a document to / from another facsimile machine via the public line and a real-time type Internet facsimile communication function for transmitting / receiving a document in real time via the Internet The apparatus has a selection means for setting in advance whether to use a gatekeeper or a SIP server, and if transmission is set to use the gatekeeper or the SIP server, the telephone number of the transmission destination is set. Treated as the destination of the real-time Internet facsimile communication, requests the gatekeeper or the SIP server to convert the destination telephone number to an IP address, and successfully converts the destination telephone number to an IP address. Then The real-time performs Internet facsimile communication, failure to convert to IP address of the transmission destination telephone number, facsimile apparatus and performs facsimile communication using the public line.   The facsimile apparatus includes a gateway area code address table in which IP addresses of a plurality of gateway apparatuses are associated with area codes of telephone numbers of the gateway apparatuses, and the setting of the selection unit is performed by the gatekeeper or the SIP server. If the area code of the gateway area code address table has an area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number, the gateway city code is determined. When the area code of the area code address table includes an area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number, real-time Internet facsimile communication via the gateway device of the area code is performed, and the gateway city The destination phone number is added to the area code in the area code address table. Without area code that matches the portion, a facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile communication using the public line. The facsimile apparatus includes a gateway neighboring area code address table in which IP addresses of a plurality of gateway apparatuses are associated with neighboring area codes of each gateway apparatus, and the setting of the selection unit is performed by the gatekeeper or the SIP server. If the setting is not to use, the gateway neighborhood area code address table determines whether there is a neighborhood area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number, and the gateway neighborhood area code If there is a neighboring area code that matches the head part of the destination telephone number in the area number address table, real-time Internet facsimile communication is performed via the gateway device of the neighboring area code, and the gateway neighboring area code First part of the destination telephone number in the address table If there is no match nearby area codes to the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile communication using the public line.

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