JP2008113358A - Communication system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system and its device in which probability of communication failure caused by busy call is decreased, enabling a document to rapidly arrive at a transmission end. <P>SOLUTION: When transmitting image data to a given destination using a public telephone line, the communication device makes inquires, to the destination, about whether being presently busy in transmission with other communication device on a network. When a response from the other communication device indicates that the other communication device is presently transmitting to the destination, the communication device interrupts the transmission to the destination and after a given time has elapsed, re-inquiry is made to the other communication device. Then, when the response from the other communication device indicating that the destination is presently not busy in transmission to the destination has arrived, the communication device transmits to the destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication device that are connected to a communication network and a telephone line and can communicate with other communication devices connected by the communication network.

  Generally, when a facsimile is transmitted, if the designated destination facsimile apparatus is receiving a document of another facsimile apparatus, the transmission fails due to busy. Facsimile transmission has a longer communication time than e-mail transmission and the like, and normally only one communication can be performed on one line, so there is a high possibility of being busy. If transmission fails, an interval of a certain time (often about 5 minutes) is set before re-transmission, so that the document arrives late at the destination.

  A facsimile transmission system has already been devised in which a transmission is completed after another line is being transmitted to the same destination in one facsimile apparatus. It is not possible to cope with the case where the device is transmitting to the same destination.

The following are disclosed as conventional techniques related to a communication system and a communication apparatus.
While line 1 is transmitting to a destination within a single facsimile machine to which a plurality of telephone lines are connected, other lines do not transmit to that destination and wait until transmission of line 1 is completed. There is a "communication device transmission control system" (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Also, when there is an email address associated with the fax number when transmission to a fax number fails, it is sent with that email address, and conversely, when it fails with the email address, it is associated. There is a “facsimile transmission method” for transmitting to a FAX number (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In addition, when a line is in use and transmission is not possible, there is a “data processing apparatus and method” in which a document is transferred via a server to another facsimile apparatus having a transmission job of the same destination and transmitted (for example, patent document) 3).
Japanese Patent No. 3261680 JP 2005-244652 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-112777

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system and a communication apparatus that reduce the probability of transmission failure due to busy and arrive at a transmission destination quickly.

In the invention described in Patent Document 1, “scheduling between a plurality of devices connected via a network” and “transmission switching to a mail address” performed in the present invention to achieve the above object are not performed.
Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, in order to achieve the above object, “to switch destinations when sent to the same destination by another apparatus” or “opening confirmation / mail address” "Requesting delivery confirmation" is not done.
Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 3, “switching destinations when transmitted to the same destination by another device” performed in the present invention to achieve the above object is not performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices connected to each public telephone line are connected via a network, and the communication apparatus uses a public telephone line. When transmitting predetermined image data to a predetermined destination, whether other communication devices are currently transmitting to the destination using a public telephone line to other communication devices on the network If the response to the inquiry received from the other communication device and the inquiry received from the other communication device is currently being transmitted to the destination, the communication device temporarily stops transmission to the destination, and after a predetermined time has elapsed Scheduling means for making another inquiry to another communication device and that a response to the inquiry received from another communication device is not currently being transmitted to the destination In this case, a transmission unit that performs transmission to the destination by the communication device, a storage unit that stores the destination during transmission to the destination by the communication device, and another communication device using a public telephone line When receiving an inquiry as to whether transmission is currently being performed to the destination, the storage unit stores whether the communication apparatus is currently transmitting to the destination using a public telephone line. It is characterized by having a judging means for judging based on a destination, and a reply means for replying the result of the judgment to another communication apparatus that has made an inquiry.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the communication device temporarily stops transmission to the destination by the communication device by the scheduling means, and if there is another waiting transmission, The transmission is performed with priority.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the communication device has an address book unit capable of storing a predetermined destination in association with another destination, and the communication device is configured by the scheduling unit. If the destination is stored in the address book means and there are other destinations associated with the destination, transmission is performed to the other destinations. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the communication device has a sequence means capable of transmitting a plurality of image data by one communication to a predetermined destination. After the transmission to the destination by the communication device is temporarily stopped by the scheduling means, the image data scheduled to be transmitted by the communication device is sent to the other communication device via the network, and the image data is transmitted in series. If a notification from the other communication device that the requested message is not received is received, the communication device transmits again, and a request for the message is received from the other communication device. At the same time, when the image data to be processed is received, it is determined whether or not the reception is in time, and if the reception is in time as a result of the determination, the communication device is scheduled to transmit by the communication means. image Together with the data, the image data to be processed is transmitted, and the other communication device is notified that the requested connection is successful. It is characterized by notifying other communication devices that the requested train is impossible.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the communication apparatus has a network transmission means for transmitting to a predetermined destination via a server on the network, and the scheduling means applies the address to the destination by the communication apparatus. After the transmission is paused, if the destination is stored in the address book means and there is another destination associated with the destination and transmission is to another destination, the other destination If the image data has arrived at the transmission destination or can be transmitted with confirmation of receipt for confirming whether the transmission destination has viewed the image data, it is transmitted with confirmation of reception by the network transmission means. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the communication device temporarily stores transmission to the destination by the communication device by the scheduling means, and then the address is stored in the address book means. When there is another destination associated with the destination, transmission to the other destination is performed and transmission to the destination is also performed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the communication device is connected to the plurality of other communication devices connected on the network by the inquiry means. It is possible to make an inquiry as to whether or not transmission is currently being performed to a destination using a public telephone line.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the communication device determines whether or not to perform the operation according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in advance or It is characterized in that the user can specify at the time of transmission.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the communication device performs the operation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and In the case of the operations described in Items 3, 5, and 6, it is characterized by having means for notifying the user of the communication device that the message has been sent with confirmation of reception.

  The invention according to claim 10 is used in the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the probability of transmission failure due to busyness and to arrive at a transmission destination quickly.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a facsimile apparatus will be described as an example of a communication apparatus.

  In this embodiment, the probability of transmission failure due to the busy state is confirmed by confirming the destination being transmitted (in this embodiment, “inquiry”) to other facsimile machines (other machines) connected via the network. To make the document arrive at the other party quickly.

  In FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus A10 is a facsimile apparatus having a network connection means, and is connected to a communication network 13 such as a LAN (local area network) and a public telephone line A14. Similarly, the facsimile machine B11 is also connected to the communication network 13 and the public telephone line B15.

  FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the facsimile apparatus in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the module in the facsimile apparatus includes a communication control unit 21, a network control unit 22, a reading control unit 23, an image memory 24, a compression demodulation unit 25, a storage unit 26, and a transmission control unit 27. It is configured.

  The communication control unit 21 is connected to the public telephone line 14 or 15, and the network control unit 22 is connected to the communication network 13.

  The storage unit 26 holds a busy address storage table 261 and an initial setting storage table 262.

  The transmission control unit 27 includes a busy destination determination unit 271, a scheduling control unit 272, a transmission unit 273, and a busy inquiry control unit 274.

  At the time of fax transmission, first, an image of a transmission document read by the reading control unit 23 is accumulated in the image memory 24 and compressed by the compression / demodulation unit 25. Thus, image data (document data) to be transmitted can be prepared.

  The busy inquiry control unit 274 of the transmission control unit 27 transmits, via the network control unit 22, to other facsimile apparatuses (other devices) connected via the network to the same destination as the destination that the own device intends to transmit from now on. Send an inquiry notification indicating whether it is not in the middle.

  Upon receiving this inquiry notification, the other facsimile apparatus corresponding to the inquiry function from the other machine checks the busy destination storage table 261 of the storage unit 26 and returns a result indicating whether transmission is currently being performed to the same destination. . Note that a facsimile apparatus that does not return a result even after a certain period of time is considered to be incompatible with the inquiry function and is ignored.

  If the returned result indicates that “the same destination is not being transmitted”, the transmission unit 273 performs the transmission process as it is and the facsimile apparatus is transmitted by facsimile via the communication control unit 21.

  If the returned result is that “the same destination is being transmitted”, the transmission is temporarily stopped under the control of the scheduling control unit 272, and thereafter, the busy inquiry control unit 271 performs another facsimile device at regular intervals. Inquires about the other party's busy address. When the result is “the same destination is not being transmitted”, the transmission unit 273 performs transmission processing on the transmission document that has been stopped, and is transmitted by facsimile via the communication control unit 21.

  When performing facsimile transmission, the transmission destination is recorded in the busy destination storage table 262. When the transmission communication ends, the destination is deleted from the busy destination storage table 262. Note that even if transmission fails and waiting for retransmission, the destination is once deleted when communication is completed.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile machine that makes an inquiry to another machine will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus A10 makes an inquiry to the facsimile apparatus B11.

  In the facsimile apparatus A10, when an image is read and the user gives an instruction to start facsimile transmission (step S30), a "busy check (= inquiry)" is performed on another machine (in this case, the facsimile apparatus B11). "Is set (step S31). The setting of “Perform busy check” is set by two methods. The first is a case where the initial setting storage table 262 is set in advance for all facsimile transmissions (initial setting). If this initial setting is set, the busy check is performed for all facsimile transmissions. I do. The second is a case where the user selects whether or not to perform this setting at the time of facsimile transmission, and the user selects to perform this setting (setting at transmission). During busy transmission, a busy check is performed.

  If either “initial setting” or “transmission setting” is set to “check busy” (step S31 / YES), an inquiry is made to another machine (facsimile device B11) (step S32). .

  If both of the initial setting and the setting at the time of transmission are not set to “check busy” (step S31 / NO), before starting the facsimile transmission, the destination to be transmitted from now on is the busy destination. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage table 261 (step S34), and a transmission process is performed after that (step S35). When the transmission processing is completed, the destination just transmitted is deleted from the busy destination storage table 261 (step S36), and a series of processing ends.

  A response from the other machine (facsimile apparatus B11) to the inquiry in step S32 is confirmed (step S33).

  If the response is that the other machine (facsimile apparatus B11) is transmitting to the same destination as the address to be transmitted by the own machine (facsimile apparatus A10) (step S33 / YES), the facsimile of the own machine Transmission is paused (step S37). Then, after a certain time has passed since the standby state, an inquiry is again made to the other machine (facsimile apparatus B11) (step S32).

  If the content of the reply is the same destination as the destination to be transmitted by the own device (facsimile device A10) and the other device (facsimile device B11) is not transmitting (NO in step S33), the facsimile transmission is started. Before the transmission, the destination for facsimile transmission is stored in the busy destination storage table 261 (step S34), and then the transmission process is performed (step S35). When the transmission processing is completed, the destination just transmitted is deleted from the busy destination storage table 261 (step S36), and a series of processing ends.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile machine on the side that has received an inquiry from another machine will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus B11 receives an inquiry from the facsimile apparatus A10.

  In the facsimile apparatus B11, an inquiry is received from another machine (facsimile apparatus A10) as to whether or not facsimile transmission is being performed to a specific destination (step S41). The busy address determination unit 271 determines whether or not the specific address is currently being transmitted by checking the busy address storage table 261 (step S42). The transmission unit 273 transmits the result of the determination as a response to the inquiry to the other machine (facsimile apparatus A10) (step S43).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the probability of transmission failure due to busy is reduced by confirming the destination being transmitted to another facsimile apparatus connected via the network. Documents arrive early at (destination).

In the present embodiment, transmission can be performed efficiently by performing other transmissions in standby first. The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment with respect to the basic configuration and operation, but differs in the following points.
As a result of inquiring to the other device in step S32 in FIG. 3, if the response content is “sending the same destination” (step S33 / YES), the scheduling control unit 272 temporarily stops transmission (referred to as transmission 1). However, in this embodiment, if there is another document waiting for transmission (referred to as transmission 2), transmission 2 is transmitted while transmission 1 is stopped. When the transmission 2 is completed, the busy inquiry control unit 274 makes an inquiry to another device again.

  The operation of the facsimile machine that makes an inquiry to another machine will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus A10 makes an inquiry to the facsimile apparatus B11. “Start” in FIG. 5 is a continuation of step S37 in FIG.

  In the facsimile machine A10, the scheduling control unit 272 confirms whether there is another transmission (waiting for transmission 2) that is waiting (step S38). If there is no other waiting transmission (step S38 / NO), the process returns to step S37 in FIG. When there is another waiting transmission (step S38 / YES), the transmission unit 273 performs the waiting transmission (step S39).

  Note that even if there are a plurality of other transmission documents (not only transmission 2) but also a plurality of transmission documents (referred to as transmission 3), the busy destination of transmission 1 is once inquired when transmission 2 is completed. Therefore, if the reply is “sending the same destination”, transmission 3 is transmitted. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the normal transmission standby document (transmissions 2 and 3) and the transmission standby document (transmission 1) due to busy are alternately transmitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, other transmissions in standby can be performed first, so that transmission can be performed efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the document arrives at the other party early by transmitting to another associated destination. In the present embodiment, the basic configuration and operation are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows the internal configuration of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment.
The difference from the first and second embodiments shown in FIG. 2 is that, as shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 26 has an address book 263 as a destination storage unit, and the transmission control unit 27 has a destination control unit 275. It is a point which has.

  It is assumed that the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment has an address book 263, so that a plurality of destinations can be registered in one number (unit) of the address book 263 (relation of destinations). For example, address 03-1111-1111 and address 03-2222-2222 can be registered in No. 3 (number / unit) of the address book.

  The operation of the facsimile machine on the side that makes an inquiry to another machine will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus A10 makes an inquiry to the facsimile apparatus B11. “Start” in FIG. 7 is a continuation of step S37 in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the user sets the destination of the destination in the settings at the time of transmission, it is determined whether the destination is selected from the address book 263 or directly input from the operation unit or the like by the user. The destination control unit 275 stores the information in advance.

  In the facsimile machine A10, as a result of making an inquiry to the other machine (facsimile machine B11) in step S32 of FIG. 3, even if one result returned from the other machine is “sending the same destination” (step S32 / YES), the scheduling control unit 272 temporarily stops transmission (step S37). At this time, in this embodiment, whether or not the destination designated by the user is the destination selected from the address book 263 is controlled. The unit 275 confirms (step S51).

  If the destination is selected from the address book 263 (step S51 / YES), the destination control unit 275 checks whether another destination is registered at the same number in the address book 263 (step S52). .

  Therefore, if another destination is registered, the transmission unit 273 performs transmission toward the destination (step S53). When the transmission is completed, the series of processing ends without returning to step S37 in FIG.

  Note that the address specified by the user is not selected from the address book 263 (step S51 / NO), or the address specified by the user is selected from the address book 263, but the address book 263 is selected. If no other destination is registered (step S52 / NO), the process returns to step S37 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a document arrives at the other party earlier by transmitting to another associated destination.

  In the present embodiment, the document arrives at the destination quickly by sending it by a sequence function (hereinafter referred to as sequence) that can transmit a plurality of documents in one communication with a predetermined destination. At the same time, only one transmission fee is required, so the cost is reduced. In the present embodiment, the basic configuration and operation are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows the internal configuration of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment.
2 is different from the first and second embodiments in that the transmission control unit 27 has a series control unit 276 as shown in FIG. By having this sequence control unit 276, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment can perform a sequence and can send a document to another machine through a network.

  The operation of the facsimile machine on the side that makes an inquiry to the other machine (and requests a line) will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus A10 makes an inquiry to the facsimile apparatus B11 (and requests a series). “Start” in FIG. 9 is a continuation of step S37 in FIG.

  In the facsimile apparatus A10, as a result of inquiring to the other machine (facsimile apparatus B11) in step S32 of FIG. 3, if the returned result is “sending the same destination” (step S32 / YES), the line control is performed. The unit 276 sends a document to the other machine (facsimile device B11) via the network via the network control unit 22 and requests a series (step S61).

  Thereafter, the facsimile apparatus A10 receives the reception result from the other machine (facsimile apparatus B11) that requested the reception (step S62), and the reception control unit 276 confirms the contents of the reception result (step S63). .

  If the succession result is “success” (step S63 / success), a series of processing is terminated without returning to step S37 in FIG.

  If the line result is “failure” (step S63 / failure), the transmission unit 273 performs another transmission in the own machine (facsimile apparatus A10) (step S64). After that, the series of processing ends without returning to step S37 in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile machine on the side that receives an inquiry (and is requested to receive a request) from another machine will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus B11 receives an inquiry from the facsimile apparatus A10 (and is requested to receive a series).

  Since the documents must be merged in order to perform the line transfer, it may be too late even if the facsimile apparatus A requests the line transfer to the facsimile apparatus B. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus B, first, when a document to be received is received from another machine (facsimile apparatus A10) together with a request for arrival (step S71), the arrival control unit 276 is ready for arrival. It is determined whether or not (step S72).

  If it is in time (YES in step S72), the line control unit 276 merges it with the document being transmitted by the own machine (facsimile apparatus B11), and the transmission unit 273 receives the line via the communication control unit 21. (Step S73). Thereafter, the transmitting unit 273 notifies the other machine (facsimile apparatus A10) that is the requester of the line notification of “successful line reception” (step S74), and ends the series of processes.

  If it is not in time (step S72 / NO), the transmission unit 273 notifies the other machine (facsimile device A10), which is the requester of the request, that the message has failed (step S72). S75), a series of processing ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the document is sent in series, the document arrives at the destination quickly, and the transmission fee can be reduced once, so the cost is reduced.

  When sending directly without connecting to the other party (such as sending an e-mail), it is not possible to know whether it has been delivered to the other party. In many cases, users who originally specified transmission by facsimile have a need to know whether or not a document has surely arrived at the destination. Therefore, in this embodiment, when switching to the transmission method without directly connecting to the other party, the transmission side user knows whether or not the document has surely arrived at the other party by sending with confirmation of reception. To be able to.

The basic configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment, but the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment is further assumed to be a facsimile apparatus having the following functions.
<1> Mail transmission and Internet FAX (T.37) can be performed.
<2> A fax number and a mail address can be registered in the address book.
<3> When sending an email, it can be sent with an opening confirmation (MDN (Message Disposition Notification)).
<4> When sending an Internet FAX, it can be sent with confirmation of delivery.
<5> In the address book, it is possible to specify whether the destination mail address is to be used for mail transmission or Internet FAX transmission (T.37).
<6> In the address book, when the destination mail address is used for Internet FAX (T.37), 37 Send in simple mode or You can specify whether to send in 37 full mode.

  The operation of the facsimile machine on the side that makes an inquiry to another machine will be described with reference to FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus A10 makes an inquiry to the facsimile apparatus B11. “Start” in FIG. 11 is a continuation of step S37 in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the user sets the destination of the destination in the settings at the time of transmission, it is determined whether the destination is selected from the address book 263 or directly input from the operation unit or the like by the user. The destination control unit 275 stores the information in advance.

  In the facsimile machine A10, as a result of making an inquiry to the other machine (facsimile machine B11) in step S32 of FIG. 3, even if one result returned from the other machine is “sending the same destination” (step S32 / YES), the scheduling control unit 272 temporarily stops transmission (step S37). At this time, in this embodiment, whether or not the destination designated by the user is the destination selected from the address book 263 is controlled. The unit 275 confirms (step S81).

  If the destination is not selected from the address book 263 (step S81 / NO), the process returns to step S37 in FIG. On the other hand, when the destination is selected from the address book 263 (step S81 / YES), the destination control unit 275 confirms whether another destination is registered at the same number in the address book 263 (step S81). S82).

  If no other destination is registered (step S82 / NO), the process returns to step S37 in FIG. On the other hand, if another destination is registered (step S82 / YES), it is confirmed whether the destination is a fax number or a mail address (step S83).

  If the other destination is a fax number (step S83 / fax number), it is transmitted to that destination (step S84). When the transmission is completed, the series of processing ends without returning to step S37 in FIG. . On the other hand, if the other destination is a mail address (step S85 / mail address), it is confirmed whether the mail address is for mail transmission or for Internet FAX (step S85).

  If it is a mail address for mail transmission (step S85 / for mail transmission), an opening confirmation (MDN) is attached and transmitted to the destination (step S86). When the transmission is completed, step S37 in FIG. A series of processing is terminated without returning. On the other hand, when the mail address is for Internet FAX (step S85 / for Internet FAX), the mail address for Internet FAX is T.264. 37 for simple mode or T. It is confirmed whether it is for 37 full mode (step S87).

  T.A. If it is 37 simple mode (step S87 / simple mode), it transmits to the destination without confirming delivery (step S84), and when transmission is completed, it returns to step S37 in FIG. Exit. On the other hand, T.W. If it is 37 full mode (step S87 / full mode), a delivery confirmation is attached and transmitted to the destination (step S89). When transmission is completed, a series of processing is performed without returning to step S37 in FIG. finish.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the transmission is performed without directly connecting to the other party, the reception confirmation is requested, so that the user on the transmission side knows whether the document has surely arrived at the other party. be able to.

  In the third embodiment, when the destination to be transmitted is switched, the document may arrive at the destination after the switching, but it is assumed that the receiver (the other party) receives the destination before the switching. May not be aware that the document has been received at the destination after switching.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transmission is performed to both the address before switching and the address after switching, so that the receiver can receive the data at the address before switching. So that the person notices the reception early.

  In the third embodiment, when it is confirmed that another destination is registered in the address book, transmission to the destination is performed. Also, the transmission to the destination originally designated by the user is not stopped, and the transmission is continued as in the first embodiment (if the other apparatus makes an inquiry to the other apparatus after a certain time and the other apparatus is not transmitting to the same destination). Send).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it may be assumed that the receiver receives the destination before switching by transmitting to both the destination before switching and the destination after switching. Even if not, the receiver can quickly notice the reception.

  In the present embodiment, by making an inquiry to a plurality of facsimile apparatuses, the probability of transmission failure is further reduced. In the present embodiment, the basic configuration and operation are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the communication system of the present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments (see FIG. 1) in that it has a facsimile machine C12 connected to a telephone line C16 on a network 13. In this embodiment, three facsimile machines A, B, and C are provided on the network, but more may be provided.

  For example, in the communication system configured as shown in FIG. 12, when the facsimile apparatus A10 makes an inquiry to the facsimile apparatus B11, in this embodiment, in step S32 of FIG. Can be sent to a plurality of other machines (facsimile apparatus B11 and facsimile apparatus C12) at a time.

  If even one result returned from the other machines (facsimile apparatus B11 and facsimile apparatus C12) is “sending the same destination”, the transmission is temporarily stopped.

  After that, the busy address is inquired to other devices at regular intervals. Then, when the result from all the other devices is “not transmitting the same destination”, transmission is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since a plurality of facsimile apparatuses are inquired, the probability of transmission failure is further reduced.

In the first to seventh embodiments, some users may have the following needs.
[1] Checking whether transmission to the same destination is a time loss, so that check is not necessary.
[2] Depending on the setting, it is possible to simultaneously receive a FAX with a single FAX number. If the user knows that the destination that he or she wants to send is that setting, there is no need to check whether it is sending to the same destination.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user can select whether to use each function of the first to sixth embodiments, thereby improving user convenience.

  In the present embodiment, the user can specify in advance or at the time of transmission setting whether or not to perform the operation characterized in the first to seventh embodiments. In the case of advance, the user sets as the initial setting, and the facsimile apparatus stores it in the initial setting storage table. In the case of transmission setting, the user sets together with various settings for transmission.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can select whether or not to use each function of the first to sixth embodiments, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  In the present embodiment, by having a means for notifying the user, the user can know the situation, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  For example, when switching to another destination as in the third embodiment, the user (sender) needs to “notify the receiver of that” can be considered, so that the need is satisfied by performing the notification. be able to.

  In addition, since the user can know whether or not the data has been sent with confirmation of reception, if the user has not sent the data with confirmation of reception, the user can determine whether or not the document has arrived independently.

In the present embodiment, when the operations featured in the first to eighth embodiments are performed, it is possible to notify the user to that effect.
Specifically, the contents notified to the user are as follows.
<1> Display on the operation panel of the facsimile machine <2> Print a paper report <3> Send an email to the administrator set in the device (if the administrator's email address is registered)
<4> E-mail transmission to the user who sent it (when e-mail address is known by login, etc.)

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the user can know the situation by having means for notifying the user, the convenience for the user is improved.

  In addition, when switching to another destination as in the third embodiment, the user (sender) needs to “notify the receiver of that” may be considered, and the need can be satisfied by performing notification. it can.

  Further, since the user can know whether the document has been sent with confirmation of opening / delivery, if the user has not sent the document with attachment confirmation, it can be determined that the user independently checks whether the document has arrived.

  As mentioned above, although each Example of this invention was described, it is not limited to description of each said Example, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. Moreover, the said Examples 1-9 can be implemented combining a predetermined Example.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Examples 1-8 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (inquiry side) which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (side which receives an inquiry) which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (inquiry side) which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the facsimile apparatus based on Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (inquiry side) which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the facsimile apparatus based on Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (the side which requests reception) based on Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (the side which is requested for a line) based on Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the facsimile apparatus (inquiry side) which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on Example 9 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Facsimile device A
11 Fax machine B
12 Facsimile machine C
13 Network 14 Public telephone line A
15 Public telephone line B
16 Public telephone line C
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Communication control part 22 Network control part 23 Reading control part 24 Image memory 25 Compression demodulation part 26 Storage part 27 Transmission control part 261 Busy destination storage table 262 Initial setting storage table 263 Address book 271 Busy destination discrimination | determination part 272 Scheduling control part 273 Transmission unit 274 Busy inquiry control unit 275 Destination control unit 276 Line control unit

Claims (10)

A communication system in which a plurality of communication devices connected to each public telephone line are connected via a network,
The communication device
When transmitting predetermined image data to a predetermined destination using a public telephone line, the other communication apparatus is connected to the destination using a public telephone line. Inquiry means for inquiring whether it is currently being transmitted,
If the response to the inquiry received from the other communication device indicates that the transmission is currently being transmitted to the destination, the transmission to the destination by the communication device is temporarily stopped, and the other communication is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Scheduling means for making the inquiry again to the device;
If a response to the inquiry received from the other communication device is not currently being transmitted to the destination, a transmission means for transmitting the destination by the communication device;
Storage means for storing the destination during transmission to the destination by the communication device;
When receiving an inquiry from the other communication device as to whether or not transmission is currently being made to a predetermined destination using a public telephone line, the communication apparatus is currently using the public telephone line to the destination. Determining means for determining whether transmission is in progress based on a destination stored in the storage means;
A response means for returning the result of the determination to another communication device that has made the inquiry;
A communication system comprising: The communication device
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein, after the scheduling unit temporarily stops transmission to the destination by the communication apparatus, if there is another transmission waiting, the communication is performed with priority. . The communication device
An address book means capable of storing a predetermined destination in association with another destination;
After the scheduling unit temporarily stops transmission to the destination by the communication device, the destination is stored in the address book unit, and there is another destination associated with the destination 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein transmission is performed to the other destination. The communication device
Having a sequence means capable of transmitting a plurality of image data in one communication to a predetermined destination;
After the scheduling unit temporarily stops transmission to the destination by the communication device, the image data to be transmitted by the communication device is sent to the other communication device via the network. Request that it be sent in line,
When receiving a notification from the other communication device that the requested sequence is not possible, perform another transmission on the communication device,
When receiving image data together with a request for a line from the other communication device, determine whether the line is in time,
As a result of the determination, if the line is in time, the line means transmits the image data to be lined together with the image data scheduled to be transmitted by the communication apparatus to the other communication apparatus. To notify that the success is successful,
The communication according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, as a result of the determination, if the message is not in time, a notification that the message is not possible is sent to the other communication device. system. The communication device
Network transmission means for transmitting to a predetermined destination via a server on the network;
After the scheduling unit temporarily stops transmission to the destination by the communication device, the destination is stored in the address book unit, and there is another destination associated with the destination, When transmitting to the other destination, the other destination sends the image with a reception confirmation to confirm whether the image data has arrived at the destination or whether the destination has viewed the image data. 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein if the communication is possible, the network transmission means transmits the reception confirmation. The communication device
After the scheduling unit temporarily stops transmission to the destination by the communication device, the destination is stored in the address book unit, and there is another destination associated with the destination 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein transmission to the other destination is performed and transmission to the destination is also performed. The communication device
The inquiry means makes an inquiry as to whether or not a plurality of other communication devices connected on the network are currently transmitting to the destination using a public telephone line. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication system can be performed. The communication device
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a user can designate whether or not to perform the operation according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in advance or at the time of transmission. The communication device
The fact that the operation according to any one of claims 1 to 7 has been performed and, in the case of the operation according to claims 3, 5, and 6, whether the information has been sent with confirmation of reception, The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising means for notifying a user of the communication device.   A communication apparatus used in the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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