JP2006339767A - Facsimile machine, facsimile communication system, and facsimile communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine, a facsimile communication system, and a facsimile communication method capable of shortening a communication time of facsimile communication after a phase D of a facsimile communication procedure. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile machine X1 (transmission terminal) transmits a binary signal and a tone signal to the facsimile machine X2 (reception terminal) at a first transmission to the facsimile machine X2 (reception terminal) after the phase D of the facsimile communication procedure (S11), discriminates whether the return signal returned from the facsimile machine X2 is the binary signal or the tone signal (S13) in response to either of the transmitted binary signal and the transmitted tone signal and establishes the transmission of the signal of the same kind as the return signal to be discriminated (S14, S15). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique of facsimile communication executed by transmission / reception of a signal indicating a progress content for advancing facsimile communication, and more particularly to a technique for shortening the communication time of the facsimile communication.

  In a facsimile apparatus that performs facsimile communication with another facsimile apparatus via a general public line such as a telephone line, a signal indicating the progress of the facsimile communication with the other facsimile apparatus ( For example, facsimile communication is executed by transmitting / receiving (CNG, MPS, MCF, EOP, DCN, etc.) described later. The execution procedure of the facsimile communication is composed of phases divided into five phases A to E standardized by ITU-T recommendation. Here, phase A to phase E will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional facsimile communication procedure when three pages of image data are transmitted by facsimile from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, in phase A, a CNG signal indicating that the facsimile apparatus X1 is ready for transmission is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 in order to perform call setting.
The facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the CNG signal transmits a CED signal indicating that the facsimile apparatus X2 is ready to receive to the facsimile apparatus X1 in response to the reception of the CNG signal. The CNG signal is a tone signal having a frequency of 1100 Hz, and the CED signal is a tone signal having a frequency of 2100 Hz. Various signals transmitted and received in the following phase B to phase E are, for example, 8-bit binary signals.

Subsequently, in phase B, a DIS signal indicating the function (for example, modem type, recording paper width, resolution, etc.) of the facsimile apparatus X2 is sent from the facsimile apparatus X2 to the facsimile apparatus X1 in order to perform initial setting of communication. Sent.
The facsimile apparatus X1 that has received the DIS signal, in response to the reception of the DIS signal, indicates what transmission conditions (for example, modem speed, recording paper width, resolution, etc.) start communication. A signal and a TCF signal for modem training check are transmitted to the facsimile apparatus X2.
The facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the TCF signal transmits a CFR signal indicating that the modem training is successful to the facsimile apparatus X1 after executing modem training under transmission conditions based on the DCS signal. If the modem training fails, an FTT signal indicating that fact is transmitted.

In phase C, the image data (message) of the first page is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 based on the transmission conditions set in phase B.
Thereafter, in phase D, an MPS signal indicating that transmission of image data for the first page has been completed is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2.
In response to the reception of the MPS signal, the facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the MPS signal transmits an MCF signal indicating that the image data of the first page has been normally received to the facsimile apparatus X1. When the image data is not received normally, an RTN signal is transmitted.
The procedure from Phase C to Phase D is repeatedly executed until the last page is reached.

Thereafter, when transmission of the image data for the third page is completed, in phase D, an EOP signal indicating that transmission of the last page has been completed is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2.
In response to the reception of the EOP signal, the facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the EOP signal transmits an MCF signal indicating that the image data of the third page has been normally received to the facsimile apparatus X1. Thereby, the phase D for confirming the end of communication between the facsimile apparatus X1 and the facsimile apparatus X2 is completed.
Finally, in phase E, a DCN signal for ending facsimile communication between the facsimile apparatus X1 and the facsimile apparatus X2 is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2. Thereby, the call set in the phase A is released, and the facsimile communication based on the phases A to E ends.

By the way, in the case of performing facsimile transmission of image data over a plurality of pages as described above, the transmission conditions are rarely changed depending on pages. In this case, instead of the MPS signal transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 in the phase D, an EOM signal indicating that transmission of one page of image data is completed and that the transmission condition is changed Is sent. The facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the EOM signal transmits to the facsimile apparatus X1 an MCF signal indicating that one page of image data has been received and that the EOM signal has been received. Thereafter, after a predetermined waiting time of 6 seconds elapses, the phase D is shifted to the phase B, and the transmission conditions are reset.
When the transmission condition is changed in this way, the phase shifts from the phase D to the phase B by simultaneously transmitting the EOM signal and the tone signal from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 in the phase D. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for shortening the waiting time until the time.
JP 2000-125101 A

However, the technique of Patent Document 1 is intended to shorten the waiting time until the phase D is shifted to the phase B when a rare situation of changing the transmission condition occurs. The communication time of facsimile communication when the conditions are not changed cannot be shortened.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a facsimile apparatus, a facsimile communication system, and a facsimile communication system capable of reducing the communication time of facsimile communication after phase D of the facsimile communication procedure. It is to provide a facsimile communication method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine that performs facsimile communication with a receiving terminal by transmitting and receiving a signal indicating the progress of the facsimile communication. At the first transmission to the receiving terminal after the phase D of the facsimile communication procedure, a binary signal and a tone signal indicating the progress are transmitted, and either the transmitted binary signal or the tone signal is responded Then, it is determined whether the return signal returned from the receiving terminal is a binary signal or a tone signal, and a signal indicating the progress is transmitted to the receiving terminal using the same type of signal as the determined return signal. Configured to do. Here, in the first transmission to the receiving terminal after the phase D of the facsimile communication procedure, it is conceivable to transmit a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the binary signal and the tone signal. Further, in the facsimile communication procedure after the determination, it is preferable that a signal indicating the progress is transmitted as a signal of the same type as the reply signal.
As a result, the facsimile communication procedure is advanced between the receiving terminal capable of transmitting and receiving the tone signal by transmitting and receiving the tone signal having a transmission time shorter than that of the binary signal in the facsimile communication procedure after the determination. Therefore, the communication time of facsimile communication can be shortened. In general, transmission / reception of binary signals, which are binary digital data having a predetermined data length, involves a frequency modulation / demodulation process of the binary signals, and therefore requires a longer communication time than transmission / reception of tone signals. Further, the longer the data length of the binary signal, the longer the communication time is required for transmission and reception.
In particular, according to the present invention, the MPS signal and the MCF signal that are transmitted every time after the transmission of one page in the phase D is conventionally transmitted to the receiving terminal capable of transmitting and receiving the tone signal. Since the transmission is performed in place of the tone signal, the effect of shortening the communication time of facsimile communication increases as the number of transmission pages increases.
By the way, conventionally, in the phase B executed before the phase D, a process for adjusting whether the signal transmission after the phase D is performed by a binary signal or a tone signal has been required. However, according to the present invention, a binary signal and a tone signal are transmitted at the first communication after the phase D, a reply signal returned from the receiving terminal in response to the transmission is determined, and the subsequent signal transmission is performed. Whether to use a binary signal or a tone signal is set. Therefore, the adjustment process in phase B is not necessary, and the procedure can be simplified.

  When it is determined that the reply signal is a tone signal, that is, when it is determined that the receiving terminal can transmit and receive the tone signal, for example, due to noise or the like, the receiving terminal side The facsimile communication procedure is prevented from stagnation without the tone signal being normally received or the reply signal being not normally received at the facsimile apparatus (transmission terminal) side, thereby improving the reliability of the facsimile communication. In order to improve the tone signal, it is conceivable to transmit the tone signal continuously or intermittently until the reply tone signal returned from the receiving terminal is received in response to the tone signal transmitted to the receiving terminal. . Here, the time for determining that the tone signal is not normally received at the receiving terminal side can be set shorter than in the conventional case where the binary signal is used. Time loss in the procedure can be reduced.

The present invention also provides facsimile communication between the facsimile apparatus (transmission terminal) and a reception terminal that returns a reply tone signal indicating the progress to the facsimile apparatus in response to a tone signal received from the facsimile apparatus. It can be understood as a facsimile communication system or a facsimile communication method to be executed.
According to the facsimile communication system and the facsimile communication method, in the facsimile communication procedure after the determination, the facsimile communication procedure can be advanced by transmitting / receiving a tone signal having a transmission time shorter than that of the binary signal. Communication time can be shortened.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile communication procedure after the determination, the facsimile communication procedure can be advanced by transmission / reception of a tone signal having a transmission time shorter than that of the binary signal, so that the communication time of the facsimile communication can be shortened. Can do. In particular, between terminals capable of transmitting and receiving the tone signal, the MPS signal and the MCF signal that are conventionally transmitted every time one page is transmitted in phase D are transmitted instead of the tone signal. Therefore, the effect of shortening the communication time of facsimile communication increases as the number of transmission pages increases. Further, a binary signal and a tone signal are transmitted at the first communication after phase D, a reply signal returned from the receiving terminal in response to the transmission is determined, and whether the subsequent signal is transmitted as a binary signal Since it is set whether to use the signal, the adjustment process of the signal type in the phase B is not necessary, and the procedure can be simplified.
Further, a time for determining that the tone signal is not normally received on the receiving terminal side or that the reply signal is not normally received on the facsimile apparatus (transmitting terminal) side is set as the binary signal. Since it can be set shorter than the conventional one used, the time loss in the facsimile communication procedure can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile communication system X according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a correspondence diagram of binary signals, tone signals and progress contents, and FIG. 3 is a control unit in the facsimile apparatus X1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a signal type setting process executed by 8a, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a phase D of a facsimile communication procedure executed in the facsimile communication system X.
First, the schematic configuration of the facsimile communication system X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile communication system X transmits and receives a signal indicating the progress of the facsimile communication to execute facsimile communication, and the facsimile apparatus X1 via a telephone line 11. Are connected to each other and are connected to the facsimile machine X2.

Here, a schematic configuration of the facsimile machine X1 will be described. Since the facsimile apparatus X2 is configured in the same manner as the facsimile apparatus X1, the reference numerals representing the components of the facsimile apparatus X2 are shown in parentheses, and the illustration and description thereof are omitted.
The facsimile apparatus X1 (X2) is roughly classified into a scanner unit 1a (1b), an image memory 2a (2b), an image forming unit 3a (3b), an operation unit 4a (4b), a display unit 5a (5b), a facsimile. A communication unit 6a (6b), a storage unit 7a (7b), and a control unit 8a (8b) for comprehensively controlling these units.
The scanner unit 1a (1b) reads image information to be transmitted to the facsimile machine X2 (X1), and includes an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor (CIS). Yes. The scanner unit 1a (1b) scans the document surface while conveying the document set on the document table, whereby the image of the document is read for each line and converted into digital data. The image data read in this way is subjected to predetermined image processing (compression processing, density correction processing, etc.) in an image processing unit (not shown), and then is stored in the image memory 2a (2b) by the control unit 8a (8b). Temporarily stored.

The image memory 2a (2b) is a readable / writable semiconductor memory such as a nonvolatile memory or SDRAM. The image memory 2a (2b) temporarily stores image data read by the scanner unit 1a (1b), image data transmitted from the facsimile machine X2 (X1), and the like.
The image forming unit 3a (3b) transfers and fixes a visible image (for example, a toner image) corresponding to the image data stored in the image memory 2a (2b) onto a recording sheet, , A charging device for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, LSU for exposing and scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image, and attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image The image forming apparatus includes various known devices such as a developing device for developing, a transfer device for transferring the developed toner image onto the recording paper, and a fixing device for fixing the transferred toner image onto the recording paper.

The operation unit 4a (4b) is used by a user to perform operations relating to input of a FAX number of a partner terminal for facsimile communication, instructions for starting or stopping facsimile communication, and the like, for example, using a numeric keypad or a push button. And is appropriately disposed on an operation panel (not shown) of the facsimile machine X1 (X2). When the operation panel is configured by a touch panel or the like, the operation unit 4a (4b) may be embodied on the touch panel.
The display unit 5a (5b) is composed of a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or the like that displays various types of information such as input information and instruction contents from the operation unit 4a (4b) as visible information. Arranged in the vicinity of the operation section 4a (4b) on an operation panel (not shown) of the device X1 (X2).

The facsimile communication unit 6a (6b) sends a tone signal between the binary signal communication unit 61a (61b) that transmits and receives binary signals to and from the facsimile machine X2 (X1) and the facsimile machine X2 (X1). A tone signal communication unit 62a (62b) for transmitting and receiving and an image data communication unit 63 for transmitting and receiving image data between the facsimile apparatus X2 (X1) are provided.
The binary signal communication unit 61a (61b) has an ITU-T recommendation name V.30. A modulation function for performing frequency modulation of a binary signal transmitted to the facsimile apparatus X2 (X1) in accordance with a frequency shift keying scheme of 21, and a demodulation function for performing frequency demodulation of a binary signal transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X2 (X1); have.
The tone signal communication unit 62a (62b) receives a tone signal generation function for generating a tone signal having a predetermined frequency to be transmitted to the facsimile machine X2 (X1) and a tone signal transmitted from the facsimile machine X2 (X1). And a tone signal detection function for detecting and detecting the frequency.
The image data communication unit 63 receives the image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X2 or stores the image data stored in the image memory 2a (2b) in the phase C of the facsimile communication procedure (see FIG. 6). The data is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus X2, and generally can perform data communication at a higher speed than the binary signal communication unit 61a (61b) and the tone signal communication unit 62a (62b).
Here, the binary signal and the tone signal are used as signals indicating the progress of the facsimile communication performed between the facsimile machine X1 and the facsimile machine X2, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the data are stored in the storage unit 7a (7b) in a state of being associated with each other.
The storage unit 7a (7b) is configured by a semiconductor memory, an HDD, or the like, and stores the binary signal, the tone signal, and the progress contents in association with each other as described above. For example, a binary signal such as an MCF signal and a tone signal having a frequency of 1250 Hz correspond to the progress of reception normal for one page. In the facsimile machine X1 (X2), the MCF signal or the tone signal having a frequency of 1250HZ By receiving from the facsimile apparatus X2 (X1), the progress content corresponding to the signal (reception of reception of one page has been normally completed) is recognized.

As described above, the control unit 8a (8b) controls the elements constituting the facsimile machine X1 (X2) as a whole, and includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. Yes. The ROM stores control programs and communication programs used for control and communication of the facsimile machine X1 (X2), as well as various data used for control and communication (redial number information, etc.). These programs and data are read out and developed and calculated in the RAM, whereby the control and communication of the facsimile machine X1 (X2) are specifically realized. More specifically, in the facsimile apparatus X1 (X2), the control unit 8a (8b) controls the facsimile communication unit 6a (6b), and the storage unit 7a is connected to the facsimile apparatus X2 (X1). Facsimile communication is executed by transmitting and receiving the binary signal and the tone signal corresponding to the progress contents stored in (7b).
In the facsimile apparatus X1 (X2) configured as described above, at the start of the phase D of the facsimile communication procedure, the following signal type setting process is executed by the control unit 8a (8b), and after the signal type setting process, A type of signal (binary signal or tone signal) corresponding to the progress transmitted by the facsimile communication system X is set.

Hereinafter, phase D of a facsimile communication procedure executed between the facsimile apparatus X1 and the facsimile apparatus X2 in the facsimile communication system X will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where facsimile transmission from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 is executed will be described as an example. That is, the facsimile apparatus X1 corresponds to a transmission terminal and the facsimile apparatus X2 corresponds to a reception terminal.
3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the signal type setting process executed by the control unit 8a in the facsimile apparatus X1 of the facsimile communication system X. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the facsimile communication procedure executed in the facsimile communication system X. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of phase D, and FIG. 4A is an example of phase D of a facsimile communication procedure executed between the facsimile apparatus X1 and a conventionally known facsimile apparatus, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4 (c) shows an example of a phase D of a facsimile communication procedure executed between the facsimile machine X1 and the facsimile machine X2. 3, S11, S12,..., S21, S22,... Indicate processing procedure (step) numbers by the control unit 8a and the control unit 8b. In addition, the phase A to phase C of the facsimile communication procedure in the facsimile communication system X are not different from the conventional facsimile communication procedure described with reference to FIG.

In the facsimile communication system X, a phase A to a phase C (see FIG. 6) of the facsimile communication procedure are executed in sequence, and when one page of image data is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2, the subsequent phase D Migrate to As described above, in the conventional phase D, only the MPS signal that is a binary signal is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 by the binary signal communication section 61a of the facsimile communication section 6a.
However, in the phase D in the facsimile communication system X, as shown in the flowchart on the left side of FIG. 4, the facsimile communication unit is controlled by the control unit 8a during the first transmission to the facsimile apparatus X2 after the phase D. 6a is controlled, a tone signal having a frequency of 1200 Hz (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the same progress as the MPS signal is transmitted to the tone signal communication substantially simultaneously with the transmission of the MPS signal by the binary signal communication unit 61a. Transmitted by the unit 62a (S11). Here, simultaneous transmission of the MPS signal and the tone signal of the frequency 1200 Hz is realized by multiplexing the MPS signal and the tone signal of the frequency 1200 Hz in the facsimile communication unit 6a and transmitting the multiplexed signal. The Here, when the facsimile communication unit 6a controls, the control unit 8a when transmitting the binary signal and the tone signal from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2 corresponds to a first signal transmission means. To do.

On the other hand, as shown in the flowchart on the right side of FIG. 4, in the facsimile apparatus X2, the control unit 8b determines whether or not a signal indicating the progress is received from the facsimile apparatus X1 (S21). Here, since the multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the MPS signal and the tone signal with the frequency of 1200 Hz is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 in the step S11, the multiplexed apparatus receives the multiplexed signal. Thus, when a signal is received from the facsimile machine X1 (Yes in S21), the process proceeds to step S22. The multiplexed signal is decomposed into the MPS signal and the tone signal having a frequency of 1200 Hz in the facsimile communication unit 6b of the facsimile apparatus X2. Here, the decomposition of the multiplexed signal is performed based on the difference between the frequency band used for the binary signal and the frequency band used for the tone signal, for example. The decomposed MPS signal is received by the binary signal communication unit 61b, and the tone signal having a frequency of 1200 Hz is received by the tone signal communication unit 62b.
In step S22, the control unit 8b of the facsimile apparatus X2 determines whether or not a tone signal is included in the signal received from the facsimile apparatus X1. The determination is made based on whether a tone signal is received by the tone signal communication unit 62b, for example. Here, since the tone signal communication unit 62b receives the tone signal having the frequency of 1200 Hz from the facsimile apparatus X1 (Yes in S22), the process proceeds to step S23.
Next, in step S23, when transmitting the progress information to the facsimile machine X1, the control unit 8b is set to transmit a tone signal corresponding to the progress content. In the subsequent step S24, the facsimile communication unit 6b is controlled by the control unit 8b, so that the tone signal communication unit 62b of the facsimile communication unit 6b changes the progress contents corresponding to the tone signal having the frequency of 1200 Hz. As a reply signal in response, a tone signal (see FIG. 2) having a frequency of 1250 Hz indicating that reception of one page has been normally completed is returned to the facsimile apparatus X1 (see FIG. 4B). Here, by controlling the facsimile communication unit 6b, the control unit 8b when returning the tone signal in response to receiving the tone signal corresponds to the tone signal returning means.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the received signal does not include a tone signal and only a binary signal is included (No in S22), the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, when transmitting the progress information to the facsimile machine X1, the control unit 8b is set to transmit a binary signal corresponding to the progress content. In the following step S26, the facsimile communication unit 6b is controlled by the control unit 8b, and an MCF indicating that reception of one page is normally completed as a reply signal in response to the progress contents corresponding to the binary signal. A signal (see FIG. 2) is returned to the facsimile machine X1 (see FIG. 4 (a)).

On the other hand, in the facsimile apparatus X1, the control section 8a determines that the reply signal transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X2 in step S24 or S26 is received by the facsimile communication section 6a (Yes in S12). ), The process proceeds to step S13.
In step S13, it is determined whether or not the return signal is a tone signal. This determination is made based on, for example, whether a tone signal is received by the tone signal communication unit 62a. Here, if it is determined that the reply signal is a tone signal (Yes side of S13), it is determined that the facsimile apparatus X2 can support transmission / reception of the tone signal, and the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reply signal is not a tone signal, that is, the reply signal is a binary signal (MCF signal) (No side of S13), the facsimile apparatus X2 cannot respond to the transmission / reception of the tone signal. Is determined, and the process proceeds to step S15. Here, in step S13, the control unit 8a when executing a determination process for determining whether the type of the return signal is a binary signal or a tone signal corresponds to the signal type determination unit.

In step S14, when the progress information is transmitted to the facsimile machine X2, the control unit 8a is set to transmit a tone signal corresponding to the progress content, and the signal type setting process ends. Thereby, in the facsimile apparatus X1, in the facsimile communication procedure after step S14, the facsimile communication unit 6a is controlled by the control unit 8a, so that the tone signal corresponding to the progress content is transmitted to the tone signal communication. The data is transmitted to the facsimile machine X2 by the unit 62a (see FIG. 4C). Here, by controlling the facsimile communication unit 6a, the control unit 8a when transmitting a signal indicating the progress contents by a signal of the same type as the reply signal corresponds to the second signal transmission means.
On the other hand, since the facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the tone signal from the facsimile apparatus X1 is set to use the tone signal in the step S23, a reply tone signal that responds to the progress content corresponding to the tone signal is set. , The tone signal communication unit 62b returns it to the facsimile machine X1.
That is, the facsimile apparatus X1 communicates with the facsimile apparatus X2 capable of transmitting and receiving a tone signal in the facsimile communication procedure phase D (see FIG. 4C) and phase after the determination in step S13. In E or the like, the facsimile communication procedure can be advanced by transmitting and receiving a tone signal having a transmission time shorter than that of the binary signal, so that the communication time of the facsimile communication can be shortened. In general, transmission / reception of binary signals, which are binary digital data having a predetermined data length, involves a frequency modulation / demodulation process of the binary signals, and therefore requires a longer communication time than transmission / reception of tone signals. Further, the longer the data length of the binary signal, the longer the communication time is required for transmission and reception.
In addition, between the facsimile apparatus X1 and the facsimile apparatus X2 capable of transmitting and receiving tone signals, the MPS signal and the MCF signal that have been transmitted every time after the transmission of one page in the phase D has been conventionally performed, Since the transmission is performed in place of the tone signal having the frequency of 1200 Hz and the tone signal having the frequency of 1250 Hz, the effect of shortening the communication time of facsimile communication increases with the increase in the number of transmission pages.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S15, here, when transmitting the progress content to the facsimile machine X2, the control unit 8b is set to transmit a binary signal corresponding to the progress content, The signal type setting process is terminated. As a result, in the facsimile apparatus X1, the facsimile communication unit 6a is controlled by the control unit 8a as usual, so that a binary signal corresponding to the progress is sent to the facsimile apparatus X2 by the binary signal communication unit 61a. Is transmitted (see FIG. 6). Since the facsimile apparatus X2 that has received the binary signal from the facsimile apparatus X1 is set to use the binary signal in step S23, the binary signal that responds to the progress contents corresponding to the binary signal is: The binary signal communication unit 61b sends a reply to the facsimile machine X1.
In other words, if the destination terminal of the facsimile apparatus X1 cannot handle tone signal transmission / reception, the transmission signal is set to a binary signal in step S15. Therefore, the facsimile apparatus X1 can execute conventional facsimile communication even if the destination terminal cannot cope with transmission / reception of tone signals. Further, the facsimile apparatus X1 sets the signal type to be transmitted at the start of the phase D instead of setting the signal type to be transmitted at the time of initial setting of the transmission conditions in the phase B of the facsimile communication procedure. Therefore, there is no need to change the setting items in the phase B.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the multiplexed signal in which the binary signal and the tone signal are multiplexed is transmitted in step S1 is described. However, even if the tone signal and the binary signal are sequentially transmitted. It doesn't matter. Also in this case, when the tone signal is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2, the tone signal is transmitted as a reply signal from the facsimile apparatus X2 to the facsimile apparatus X1. If the facsimile apparatus X2 does not support the tone signal, the binary signal is transmitted as a reply signal in response to the binary signal transmitted next to the tone signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the signal retransmission function in phase D of the facsimile communication procedure. FIG. 5A is a conventional signal retransmission process, and FIG. 5B is a signal retransmission function in the facsimile communication system X. Processing is shown.
As described in the above embodiment, when the facsimile apparatus X2 is capable of transmitting and receiving tone signals, the progress of progressing facsimile communication between the facsimile apparatus X1 and the facsimile apparatus X2. A tone signal is used when transmitting the signal, but it is considered that the tone signal is not normally transmitted between the facsimile machine X1 and the facsimile machine X2 due to the influence of noise or the like.
Therefore, the control unit 8a (8b) of the facsimile apparatus X1 (X2) controls the transmission of the tone signal continuously or intermittently after the start of the transmission of the tone signal until there is a response from the other party. A signal retransmission function for executing a signal retransmission process. As a result, the reliability of facsimile communication between the facsimile machine X1 and the facsimile machine X2 is improved.

By the way, even in the conventional facsimile communication procedure in which the progress contents are transmitted and received using the binary signal in the phase D, the transmission of the binary signal is started by the signal retransmission function provided in the control unit 8a (8b). The binary signal was transmitted every predetermined time until there was a response from the other party. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, after transmitting the MPS signal from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2, a time t1 when the MCF signal is assumed to be transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X2 elapses. Even in this case, when the MCF signal is not received, the MPS signal is transmitted again from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2.
However, in the facsimile communication system X, the progress contents are transmitted and received using the tone signal in the phase D, so that the communication time in the signal retransmission process is shortened. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is assumed that after the tone signal is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X1 to the facsimile apparatus X2, a reply signal (tone signal) is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus X2. If the reply signal is not received even when the time t2 elapses, a tone signal is transmitted again from the facsimile machine X1 to the facsimile machine X2. Here, as described above, since the tone signal can be transmitted in a communication time shorter than the transmission time of the binary signal, the time t2 can be set shorter than the time t1. . That is, in the facsimile communication system X, the communication time in the signal retransmission process can be shortened.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile communication system X according to an embodiment of the present invention. The correspondence figure of a binary signal, a tone signal, and progress contents. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a signal type setting process executed by the control unit 8a in the facsimile machine X1. The figure which shows an example of the phase D of the facsimile communication procedure performed in the facsimile communication system X concerning embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the signal retransmission function in the phase D of a facsimile communication procedure. The figure explaining an example of the conventional facsimile communication procedure.

Explanation of symbols

X: Facsimile communication system X1: Facsimile apparatus (an example of a transmission terminal)
X2: facsimile machine (an example of a receiving terminal)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b ... Scanner part 2a, 2b ... Image memory 3a, 3b ... Image formation part 4a, 4b ... Operation part 5a, 5b ... Display part 6a, 6b ... Facsimile communication part 7a, 7b ... Storage part 8a, 8b ... Control part (Equivalent to verification means and remote diagnosis permission means)
11 ... Telephone lines 61a, 61b ... Binary signal communication units 62a, 62b ... Tone signal communication units 63a, 63b ... Image data communication units S11, S12, ... Processing procedure (step) numbers S21, S22, ... Processing procedure (Step) number

Claims (6)

A facsimile apparatus that performs facsimile communication with a receiving terminal by transmitting and receiving a signal indicating the progress of the facsimile communication.
A first signal transmitting means for transmitting a binary signal and a tone signal indicating the progress content at the first transmission to the receiving terminal in the phase D or later of the facsimile communication procedure;
A signal type for determining whether a return signal returned from the receiving terminal in response to either the binary signal or the tone signal transmitted by the first signal transmitting means is a binary signal or a tone signal A determination means;
Second signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal indicating the progress of the signal in the same type as the reply signal determined by the signal type determining means to the receiving terminal;
A facsimile apparatus comprising:   2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first signal transmitting means transmits a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the binary signal and the tone signal.   3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second signal transmission means transmits a signal indicating the progress contents by a signal of the same type as the reply signal in the facsimile communication procedure after the determination by the signal type determination means. The facsimile apparatus according to the above. When the signal type determination means determines that the reply signal is a tone signal,
Until the second signal transmitting means receives a reply tone signal returned from the receiving terminal in response to the tone signal transmitted to the receiving terminal by the second signal transmitting means, or The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tone signal is intermittently transmitted. A facsimile communication system for executing facsimile communication between a transmission terminal and a reception terminal by transmitting and receiving a signal indicating the progress of the facsimile communication.
The transmitting terminal is
A first signal transmitting means for transmitting a binary signal and a tone signal indicating the progress content at the first transmission to the receiving terminal in the phase D or later of the facsimile communication procedure;
A signal type for determining whether a return signal returned from the receiving terminal in response to either the binary signal or the tone signal transmitted by the first signal transmitting means is a binary signal or a tone signal A determination means;
Second signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal indicating the progress of the signal in the same type as the reply signal determined by the signal type determining means to the receiving terminal;
With
The receiving terminal is
A facsimile communication system comprising tone signal return means for returning a return tone signal indicating the progress to the transmission terminal in response to a tone signal received from the transmission terminal. A facsimile communication method for executing facsimile communication between a transmission terminal and a reception terminal by transmitting and receiving a signal indicating the progress of the facsimile communication.
The transmitting terminal is
A first signal transmission step of transmitting a binary signal and a tone signal indicating the progress contents at the first transmission to the receiving terminal after the phase D of the facsimile communication procedure;
A signal type for determining whether a return signal returned from the receiving terminal in response to either the binary signal or the tone signal transmitted in the first signal transmission step is a binary signal or a tone signal A determination process;
A second signal transmission step of transmitting a signal indicating the progress content to the receiving terminal using the same type of signal as the reply signal determined by the signal type determination step;
With
The receiving terminal is
A facsimile communication method comprising: a tone signal replying step of returning a reply tone signal indicating the progress to the transmitting terminal in response to a tone signal received from the transmitting terminal.

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