JP2009177487A - Facsimile communication system and facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a degree of freedom in apparatus operation in a facsimile communication system capable of proxy transmission of a transmission image from a facsimile machine 1 that becomes the transmission source of the transmission image, through a relay facsimile machine 300 that is connected to the same LAN 7 as the facsimile machine 1, to an opposite-side facsimile machine. <P>SOLUTION: A relay facsimile status confirmation section 203 confirms a line use status of the relay facsimile machine 300 via the LAN 7 and on the basis of the line use status of the relay facsimile machine 300 confirmed by the relay facsimile status confirmation section 203, a transmission selection section 204 determines whether to execute proxy transmission of the transmission image to the opposite-side facsimile machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile communication system in which a plurality of facsimile apparatuses are connected via a network, and a facsimile apparatus constituting the facsimile communication system.

When a facsimile machine connected to a network such as a LAN tries to send a predetermined image by facsimile to the other party's facsimile machine via a telephone line. Also occurs. In such a case, image data is transferred via the LAN to another facsimile machine (hereinafter referred to as another machine) connected to the same LAN. A transfer destination facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a relay facsimile apparatus) transmits this image data to a destination facsimile apparatus via a telephone line. Such facsimile proxy transmission is widespread. Conventional facsimile proxy transmission has been executed only when the machine itself is in a situation where facsimile transmission cannot be performed immediately as described above, when facsimile transmission is desired.
JP-A-6-152892

  In the conventional facsimile proxy transmission, when the own machine cannot immediately send a facsimile as described above, the other machine is requested to send a substitute, and the highest transmission priority is the own machine. The transmission priority of the other device was lower than that of the own device. Therefore, at the time of transmission, the facsimile transmission is transmitted to the relay facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus selected from other machines), and the own machine is operated exclusively for facsimile reception, and only when the relay facsimile apparatus cannot perform the proxy transmission. However, there is a problem to be solved that it is impossible to operate the apparatus by facsimile transmission or the like, and the degree of freedom of apparatus operation is lacking.

  The present invention provides a facsimile capable of proxy transmission of the transmission image from a transmission source facsimile apparatus serving as a transmission image transmission source to a destination facsimile apparatus via another facsimile apparatus connected to the same network as the transmission source facsimile apparatus. In the communication system, the transmission source facsimile apparatus includes another facsimile usage status confirmation unit for confirming a line usage status of the other facsimile apparatus via the network, and the other facsimile usage status confirmation unit. And a transmission selection unit that selects a relay facsimile apparatus that performs proxy transmission of the transmission image to the destination facsimile apparatus on the basis of the line use status confirmation result of the facsimile apparatus.

  Since it has a relay facsimile usage status confirmation section and a transmission selection section, it sends the facsimile transmission to the relay facsimile machine as a proxy, and the machine itself is operated exclusively for facsimile reception, and only when the relay facsimile machine cannot perform the proxy transmission. Operation such as facsimile transmission to the own machine becomes possible, and the effect of improving the degree of freedom of apparatus operation is obtained.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a facsimile communication system according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, in the facsimile communication system according to the present invention, the facsimile apparatus 1, the facsimile apparatus 2, the facsimile apparatus 3, the facsimile apparatus 4, the facsimile apparatus 5, and the facsimile apparatus 6 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 7, respectively. Yes. Further, the telephone line 11 for the facsimile apparatus 1, the telephone line 12 for the facsimile apparatus 2, the telephone line 13 for the facsimile apparatus 3, the telephone line 14 for the facsimile apparatus 4, and the telephone line 15 for the facsimile apparatus 5. However, a telephone line 16 is connected to each facsimile apparatus 6. This system configuration enables proxy transmission between facsimile machines. Embodiments of a facsimile apparatus used in a facsimile communication system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Since all the facsimile apparatuses (1 to 6) have the same configuration, only the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described in the following description.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes a reading unit 201, a data storage unit 202, a relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203, a transmission selection unit 204, a transfer instruction unit 205, a facsimile communication control unit 206, and a transmission. Destination information storage unit 207, encoding / decoding unit 208, destination input unit 209, information input unit 210, screen display unit 211, facsimile communication unit 212, received data output unit 213, and network communication unit 214 And an operation panel 215.

  The reading unit 201 is a part that reads a document image set on the apparatus for facsimile transmission as image data. The data storage unit 202 is a memory that stores image data read by the reading unit 201. The relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 is a part for confirming the usage status of the relay facsimile apparatus 300 connected to the LAN 7 via the LAN 7. Here, the relay facsimile apparatus 300 relays facsimile transmission (executes proxy transmission) from the facsimile apparatus 1 (own apparatus) to a destination facsimile apparatus (not shown), and is connected to any other network connected to the same network. Machine.

  The transmission selection unit 204 is a part that selects whether to perform proxy transmission using a relay facsimile apparatus or to perform normal transmission from the telephone line 11 of the own machine when performing facsimile transmission. Also, in the portion for selecting a relay facsimile apparatus that performs proxy transmission of a transmission image to a destination facsimile apparatus based on the result of confirmation of the line usage status of the other machine by the relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 described later and the capability information of the other machine. is there. The transfer instruction unit 205 is a part that instructs the relay facsimile apparatus to transfer image data when the transmission selection unit 204 selects proxy transmission.

  When normal transmission is selected by the transmission selection unit 204, the facsimile communication control unit 206 controls the facsimile communication unit 212 and transmits the image data to the other party via the telephone line 11 to which the own apparatus is connected. Part. The transmission destination information storage unit 207 is a memory for storing own capability information (information table) and relay destination priority information (transmission destination list). Here, the contents of the information table and the destination list will be described in detail with reference to other drawings.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an information table.
As shown in the figure, the information table 40 stores the MAX (maximum) communication speed 41, the communication fee 42, and the presence / absence 43 of the transmission security function of the own device. These pieces of information are transmitted to the proxy transmission request source facsimile apparatus as a part of response information when an inquiry about the apparatus status is received from the proxy transmission request source facsimile apparatus. Here, the transmission request source facsimile apparatus is a facsimile apparatus (own apparatus) that transfers image data to the relay facsimile apparatus 300 for the purpose of facsimile transmission to a destination facsimile apparatus (not shown) and requests substitution transmission.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a destination list.
As shown in the figure, the destination list 50 includes an information table 40 (for each ID 51 and IP address 52 of all other machines (facsimile devices (2 to 6) in FIG. 1) other than the own machine connected to the LAN 7. The contents of FIG. 3) are stored, and further, a priority 53 for becoming a relay facsimile apparatus based on priority items designated by the user is stored.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the encoding / decoding unit 208 encodes the image data read from the document image by the reading unit 201 for transmission to the counterpart facsimile machine, or receives the received data received from the counterpart facsimile machine as image data. It is a part to decrypt. A partner input unit 209 is a part for inputting a fax number of a partner to which image data is transmitted.

  The information input unit 210 is a part for inputting condition information (important items) for determining the priority set as a relay facsimile apparatus for transferring image data. The screen display unit 211 is a display unit that displays a screen for inputting the condition information. The facsimile communication unit 212 is an interface part between the telephone line 11 and the facsimile apparatus 1. The reception data output unit 213 is a part that outputs the received facsimile image data and the communication result report as an output image. The network communication unit 214 is a part that transfers image data to the relay facsimile apparatus 300 via the LAN 7.

  The operation panel 215 accepts a fax number by the destination input unit 209, accepts condition information that is a priority for determining a relay destination of image data, displays various screens by the screen display unit 211, and the like. The input / output means required for the man-machine interface. The contents will be described with reference to other drawings.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel.
As shown in the figure, the operation panel 215 includes a numeric keypad 31, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 32, a start button 33, an up / down / left / right arrow button 34, a cancel button 35, and a selection button 36. Yes.

  The numeric keypad 31 is a plurality of buttons for inputting numbers from 0 to 9, characters and symbols. This is used for registration of a facsimile number and ID of a destination facsimile machine (not shown). Further, the input of own device information is performed by the ten key. The LCD 32 is a liquid crystal display device that displays information input to the facsimile apparatus, setting values, apparatus status, and the like. A substitute transmission setting screen is displayed on a part of the LCD 32. This description will be made immediately after the description of FIG.

  The start button 33 is a button that is used when reading execution of a document image, transmission of a facsimile, or manual reception is started. The up / down / left / right arrow buttons 34 are buttons used to move to an arbitrary item in the menu during menu operation. The cancel button 35 is a button used to cancel the set value during menu operation. The selection button 36 is a button used to select a setting value during menu operation.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a proxy transmission setting screen.
A proxy transmission setting screen 60 as shown in the figure is displayed on a part of the LCD 32 of the operation panel 215. The user uses the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 34 and the selection button 36 to set the proxy transmission function shown in the figure to ON 61 or OFF 62. Here, if the user sets ON 61, the proxy transmission function operates in preference to the transmission operation of the own machine at the time of facsimile transmission. When set to OFF 62, the apparatus operates in a normal transmission mode in which facsimile transmission is performed from the own machine.
The facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment described above is assumed to be used as a transmission request source facsimile apparatus or a relay facsimile apparatus with the same configuration as the internal configuration shown in FIG.

The facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment described above operates as follows.
First, the operation of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus serving as the facsimile transmission request source will be described, and then the operation of the relay facsimile apparatus that relays the facsimile transmission will be described.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The operation of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 in order of steps from step S1 to step S13 in the flowchart.

  First, in order for a user to perform facsimile transmission using a facsimile machine 1 to a facsimile machine (not shown), an original image to be sent is set on the platen glass surface of the facsimile machine 1 or ADF (Auto Document Feeder). To start.

Step S1
When the user inputs a facsimile number of a partner facsimile machine (not shown) using the operation panel 215 and gives a facsimile transmission instruction, the process proceeds to step S2.

Step S2
The transmission selection unit 204 determines whether the proxy transmission setting (FIG. 6) on the operation panel 215 is on (61) or off (62). If it is on, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S3. move on.

Step S3
Based on the control of the facsimile communication control unit 206, normal facsimile transmission (normal transmission) is performed from the own machine, and the flow ends. First, the original image is optically read as image data by the reading unit 201, encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208, and the destination fax number input from the facsimile communication unit 212 to the destination input unit 209 is called. Sent over the line. If the own telephone line is in use, the document image is optically read as image data by the reading unit 201, encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208, and temporarily stored in the data storage unit 202. Stored. Thereafter, after the own telephone line is not in use, the encoded data stored in the data storage unit 202 is sent to the destination fax number input to the destination input unit 209 by the facsimile communication unit 212. The data is transmitted through the line, and the process proceeds to step S13.

Step S4
The relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 transmits an inquiry command for confirming the operation status and facsimile transmission capability to all other devices connected to the LAN 7 through the network communication unit 214.

Step S5
The relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 receives responses from each of all other devices connected to the LAN 7 via the network communication unit 214 and stores them in the transmission destination information storage unit 207. Further, the relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 deletes information on other machines in use on the line and collects them as a destination list (FIG. 4).

Step S6
If no other device remains in the destination list (FIG. 4) (all other devices are using the line), the process proceeds to step S3. If any other machine remains, the process proceeds to step S7. move on.

Step S7
The transmission selection unit 204 selects an other machine having a higher priority as the relay facsimile apparatus 300 from other machines not in use. This priority is set based on the priority item specified in advance by the user from the speed 54, communication fee 55, and security 56 shown in FIG. The transmission selection unit 204 determines to perform proxy transmission with the highest priority as the relay facsimile apparatus. As an example, when a user wants to substitute for another device with the lowest communication fee, the communication fee is designated as the highest priority item. Then, from the information collected in the destination list (FIG. 4), the other device with the lowest communication charge is selected as the one with the highest priority.

  A case where there are a plurality of other devices having the same communication charge will be described. Here, it is assumed that the first priority item is designated as a communication fee and the second priority item is designated as security, for example. In such a case, the other machine having the security function has a higher priority than the other machine not having the security function. In addition to the method of automatically determining that proxy transmission is to be performed, if the user knows in advance that another device having an excellent function exists in the same LAN 7, the user can enter the information input unit. It is also possible to set the priority of the other machine to the highest using 210.

Step S8
An alternate transmission request command is transmitted from the transmission selection unit 204 to the other machine selected as the relay facsimile apparatus 300 via the network communication unit 214.

Step S9
The transmission selection unit 204 receives a proxy transmission permission response from another machine selected as the relay facsimile apparatus 300 via the network communication unit 214.

Step S10
The reading unit 201 starts reading a transmission original. The read image data is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208 using the encoding method with the highest compression rate and stored in the data storage unit 202.

Step S11
The transfer instruction unit 205 transfers the encoded image data, read image size, encoding method, own machine ID, and destination fax number to the relay facsimile apparatus 300 via the network communication unit 214.

Step S12
The transfer instruction unit 205 waits for reception of a facsimile transmission completion notification by proxy transmission from the relay facsimile apparatus via the network communication unit 214, and proceeds to step S13 upon reception.

Step S13
The reception data output unit 213 prints out the communication result report and ends the flow.

Next, the operation of the relay facsimile apparatus will be described.
FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the relay facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The operation of the relay facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described in the order of steps from step S21 to step S28 in the flowchart with reference to FIG.

Step S21
The relay facsimile apparatus 300 waits for reception of a facsimile status confirmation command from the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) via the LAN 7, and proceeds to step S22 upon receipt of the facsimile status confirmation command. Proceed to step S23.

Step S22
Relay facsimile apparatus 300 returns the telephone line usage status and facsimile transmission capability (contents shown in FIG. 3) of its own machine as capability information to transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) via LAN 7, and returns to step S23. move on.

Step S23
If the capability information is returned, the relay facsimile apparatus 300 proceeds to step S24. If the capability information is not returned, the relay facsimile apparatus 300 returns to step S21 and waits for reception of a facsimile status confirmation command.

Step S24
The relay facsimile apparatus 300 transmits a proxy transmission permission response to the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1).

Step S25
The relay facsimile apparatus 300 receives image data encoded from the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) via the LAN 7, the image data size, the encoding method, the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) ID, and the other party. Receive the destination facsimile number.

Step S26
Relay facsimile apparatus 300 replaces its own ID with the ID of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) ID. The reason for replacing the ID here is to clearly indicate that the transmission source is the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1).

Step S27
The relay facsimile apparatus 300 makes a call to the partner facsimile apparatus via the telephone line, and further confirms the encoding capability of the partner facsimile apparatus. As a result of the confirmation, if the encoding method of the encoded image data is already the best method, the encoded image data and the ID of the own machine are transmitted to the partner facsimile machine without re-encoding. At this time, if the destination facsimile apparatus is in use of the line, redialing is executed after the time set in the own machine. This operation is repeated until the partner facsimile apparatus returns to the standby state and the transmission is completed successfully.

Step S28
The relay facsimile apparatus 300 sends a transmission completion notification to the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 1) via the LAN 7 and ends the facsimile substitution transmission process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a facsimile apparatus connected to a LAN and having a high reception purpose, transmission processing is sent to another machine having a free line, and congestion of reception processing in the own machine is avoided as much as possible. The effect that can be done.

  In this embodiment, after the relay facsimile apparatus executes proxy transmission, it transmits a facsimile completion notification in which the proxy transmitted image is added as a reduced screen to the transmission request source facsimile apparatus. The transmission requesting facsimile apparatus can accept the facsimile completion notification to which the reduced screen is added, print it out, and prove the transmission history. In order to achieve this object, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is configured as follows.

FIG. 9 is an internal configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes a reading unit 201, a data storage unit 202, a relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203, a transmission selection unit 204, a transfer instruction unit 205, a facsimile communication control unit 206, and a transmission. Destination information storage unit 207, encoding / decoding unit 208, destination input unit 209, information input unit 210, screen display unit 211, facsimile communication unit 212, received data output unit 213, and network communication unit 214 An operation panel 215, a resolution conversion unit 216, and a drawing report creation unit 217.

  The facsimile apparatus 20 of the present embodiment described above is used as a transmission request source facsimile apparatus or a relay facsimile apparatus with the same configuration as the internal configuration shown in FIG. Hereinafter, only components that were not included in Example 1 will be described in detail. The parts included in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The resolution converting unit 216 reduces the data size of the image data encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208 when the facsimile apparatus 20 of the second embodiment is used as the relay facsimile apparatus 400. This is the part that executes the process of reducing the resolution of the image.

  In the case where the facsimile apparatus 20 of the second embodiment is used as the relay facsimile apparatus 400, the image attached report creation unit 217 transmits image data to a partner facsimile apparatus (not shown) and then transmits the transmitted image. This is a part that generates a transmission result report with a reduced screen added.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a screen with communication result report setting screen.
A picture-attached communication result report setting screen 100 as shown in the figure is displayed on a part of the LCD 32 of the operation panel 215. The user uses the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 34 and the selection button 36 to set the on-screen communication result report setting function shown in FIG. Here, the contents of the image communication result report will be described.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a communication result report according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the communication result report of the second embodiment includes a transmission image reduced in addition to the destination, number of sheets, result, date and time, and transmission time as mode setting items. The facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment described above operates as follows. First, the operation of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus serving as the facsimile transmission request source will be described, and then the operation of the relay facsimile apparatus that relays the facsimile transmission will be described.

FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.
The operation of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20) according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9 in order of steps from step S31 to step S43 in the flowchart.

  First, in order for a user to perform facsimile transmission using a facsimile machine 20 to a destination facsimile machine (not shown), the original image to be sent is set on the platen glass surface of the facsimile machine 20 or ADF (Auto Document Feeder). To start.

Step S31
When the user inputs a facsimile number of a partner facsimile machine (not shown) using the operation panel 215 and gives a facsimile transmission instruction, the process proceeds to step S32. The facsimile transmission instruction includes the on / off setting of the attached report (FIG. 10).

Step S32
The transmission selection unit 204 determines whether the proxy transmission setting (FIG. 6) on the operation panel 215 is on (61) or off (62). If it is on, the process proceeds to step S34. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S33. move on.

Step S33
Based on the control of the facsimile communication control unit 206, normal facsimile transmission (normal transmission) is performed from the own machine, and the flow ends. First, the original image is optically read as image data by the reading unit 201, encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208, and the destination fax number input from the facsimile communication unit 212 to the destination input unit 209 is called. Sent over the line. If the own telephone line is in use, the document image is optically read as image data by the reading unit 201, encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208, and temporarily stored in the data storage unit 202. Stored. Thereafter, after the own telephone line is not in use, the encoded data stored in the data storage unit 202 is sent to the destination fax number input to the destination input unit 209 by the facsimile communication unit 212. The data is transmitted through the line, and the process proceeds to step S43.

Step S34
The relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 transmits an inquiry command for confirming the operation status and facsimile transmission capability to all other devices connected to the LAN 7 through the network communication unit 214.

Step S35
The relay facsimile status confirmation unit 203 receives responses from each of all other devices connected to the LAN 7 via the network communication unit 214, stores the responses in the transmission destination information storage unit 207, and further uses the line in use. The information of other devices is deleted and collected as a destination list (FIG. 4).

Step S36
If no other device remains in the destination list (FIG. 4) (all other devices are using the line), the process proceeds to step S33. If any other machine remains, the process proceeds to step S37. move on.

Step S37
The transmission selection unit 204 selects an other machine having a higher priority as the relay facsimile apparatus 400 from other machines not in use. This priority is set based on the priority item specified in advance by the user from the speed 54, communication fee 55, and security 56 shown in FIG. The transmission selection unit 204 determines to perform proxy transmission with the highest priority as the relay facsimile apparatus. As an example, when a user wants to substitute for another device with the lowest communication fee, the communication fee is designated as the highest priority item. Then, from the information collected in the destination list (FIG. 4), the other device with the lowest communication charge is selected as the one with the highest priority.

  A case where there are a plurality of other devices having the same communication charge will be described. Here, it is assumed that the first priority item is designated as a communication fee and the second priority item is designated as security, for example. In such a case, the other machine having the security function has a higher priority than the other machine not having the security function. In addition to the method of automatically determining that proxy transmission is to be performed, if the user knows in advance that another device having an excellent function exists in the same LAN 7, the user can enter the information input unit. It is also possible to set the priority of the other machine to the highest using 210.

Step S38
An alternate transmission request command is transmitted from the transmission selection unit 204 to the other machine selected as the relay facsimile apparatus 400 via the network communication unit 214.

Step S39
The transmission selection unit 204 receives a proxy transmission permission response from another machine selected as the relay facsimile apparatus 400 via the network communication unit 214.

Step S40
The reading unit 201 starts reading a transmission original. The read image data is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 208 using the encoding method with the highest compression rate and stored in the data storage unit 202.

Step S41
The transfer instruction unit 205 sets the encoded image data, the read image size, the encoding method, the own machine ID, the destination fax number, the on / off setting of the attached report (FIG. 10), etc., and the network communication unit 214. To the relay facsimile machine 400.

Step S42
The transfer instruction unit 205 waits for reception of a facsimile transmission completion notification by proxy transmission from the relay facsimile apparatus 400 via the network communication unit 214, and proceeds to step S43 after receiving the notification.

Step S43
The reception data output unit 213 prints out the communication result report and ends the flow.
Note that when the on-image report is set to ON in step S31 and the proxy transmission setting is set to ON in step S32, the communication result report is reduced as shown in FIG. The transmitted image is included.

Next, the operation of the relay facsimile apparatus will be described.
FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of the relay facsimile apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment.
The operation of the relay facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in the order of steps from step S51 to step S61 in the flowchart with reference to FIG.

Step S51
The relay facsimile apparatus 400 waits for reception of a facsimile status confirmation command from the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20) via the LAN 7, and proceeds to step S52 upon receipt of the facsimile status confirmation command. Proceed to step S53.

Step S52
Relay facsimile apparatus 400 returns its own telephone line usage status and facsimile transmission capability (contents shown in FIG. 3) as capability information to transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20) via LAN 7, and returns to step S53. move on.

Step S53
If the capability information is returned, the relay facsimile apparatus 400 proceeds to step S54. If the capability information is not returned, the relay facsimile apparatus 400 returns to step S51 and waits for reception of a facsimile status confirmation command.

Step S54
The relay facsimile apparatus 400 transmits a proxy transmission permission response to the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20).

Step S55
The relay facsimile apparatus 400 receives image data encoded from the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20) via the LAN 7, the image data size, the encoding method, the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20) ID, and the other party. Receives the destination facsimile number, report on / off setting, etc.

Step S56
Relay facsimile apparatus 400 replaces its own ID with the ID of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20) ID. The reason for replacing the ID here is to clearly indicate that the transmission source is the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20).

Step S57
The relay facsimile apparatus 400 makes a call to the partner facsimile apparatus via the telephone line, and further confirms the encoding capability of the partner facsimile apparatus. As a result of the confirmation, if the encoding method of the encoded image data is already the best method, the encoded image data and the ID of the own device are transmitted to the partner facsimile machine without re-encoding. If the destination facsimile machine is in use at this time, redialing is executed after the time set in the own machine. This operation is repeated until the partner facsimile apparatus returns to the standby state and the transmission is completed successfully.

Step S58
If the attached report on / off setting received in step S55 is set to on, the process proceeds to step S59. If it is set to off, the process proceeds to step S61.

Step S59
The resolution conversion unit 216 of the relay facsimile apparatus 400 generates an image in which the resolution of the image transmitted to the partner facsimile apparatus in step S57 is reduced. Here, the purpose of reducing the resolution of the image is to discriminate what the transmitted image is, and since it is not necessary to stick to the quality of the image itself, simple thinning processing may be used.

Step S60
The image attached report creating unit 217 of the relay facsimile apparatus 400 generates a transmission result report (FIG. 11) in which a reduced image is attached to the transmission completion notification, and proceeds to step S61.

Step S61
The communication result report is transmitted from the relay facsimile apparatus 400 to the transmission request source facsimile apparatus (facsimile apparatus 20), and the flow ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a communication result report attached with a reduced image of a transmission image is transmitted from a relay facsimile apparatus that has performed proxy communication to a transmission request source facsimile apparatus. Can be used as a certificate of transmission execution or as a transmission history.

  In the description of the embodiments, the present invention is limited to the case where the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the present invention can also be applied to an MFP (decoding device) and a copying machine that can be connected to a network.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a facsimile communication system according to the present invention. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of an information table. It is explanatory drawing of a transmission destination list. It is explanatory drawing of an operation panel. It is explanatory drawing of an agency transmission setting screen. 3 is an operation flowchart of the transmission request source facsimile apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 2 is an operation flowchart of the relay facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of a communication result report setting screen with drawing. It is explanatory drawing of the communication result report of Example 2. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of a transmission request source facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment. 6 is an operation flowchart of the relay facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Facsimile device 7 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Reading part 202 Data memory | storage part 203 Relay facsimile status confirmation part 204 Transmission selection part 205 Transfer instruction part 206 Facsimile communication control part 207 Transmission destination information storage part 208 Coding decoding part 209 Counterpart input part 210 Information input part 211 Image display part 212 Facsimile Communication Unit 213 Received Data Output Unit 214 Network Communication Unit 215 Operation Panel 300 Relay Facsimile Device

Claims (7)

A facsimile communication system capable of proxy transmission of a transmission image from a transmission source facsimile apparatus serving as a transmission source of a transmission image to a destination facsimile apparatus via another facsimile apparatus connected to the same network as the transmission source facsimile apparatus. And
The transmission source facsimile apparatus is
Another facsimile usage status confirmation unit for confirming the line usage status of the other facsimile machine via the network;
A transmission selection unit that selects a relay facsimile device that performs proxy transmission of the transmission image to the destination facsimile device based on a line usage status confirmation result of the other facsimile device by the other facsimile usage status confirmation unit; A facsimile communication system comprising:   A facsimile communication system, further comprising: a proxy transmission setting unit configured to set whether to perform proxy transmission of the transmission image based on a user's selection. The other facsimile usage status confirmation unit
Furthermore, individual capability information is acquired via the network from a plurality of other facsimile machines connected to the same network,
The transmission selection unit
3. The facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the relay facsimile apparatus is selected based on the individual capability information acquired by the other facsimile use status confirmation unit. The relay facsimile apparatus is
A resolution converter for reducing the resolution of the transmission image;
An image-attached report creation unit that generates a reduced image of the transmission image based on the resolution reduced by the resolution conversion unit and attaches it to a transmission completion notification;
4. The transmission completion notification to which the reduced image of the transmission image is attached is transmitted to the transmission source facsimile apparatus when the transmission of the transmission image is completed. 5. The facsimile communication system described in 1.   5. The reduced image attachment setting means for setting whether or not to transmit a transmission completion notification attached with the reduced image to the transmission source facsimile apparatus based on a user selection. Facsimile communication system. A facsimile communication system capable of proxy transmission of the transmission image from the transmission source facsimile apparatus as the transmission source of the transmission image to another facsimile apparatus via another facsimile apparatus connected to the same network as the transmission source facsimile apparatus A facsimile machine,
A facsimile apparatus included in the facsimile communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A facsimile communication unit for receiving images via a telephone line;
A reading unit for reading an image;
A destination input unit for inputting destination information of the read image read by the reading unit;
A proxy transmission inquiry unit that inquires whether other facsimile communication devices can perform proxy transmission;
When the other facsimile communication apparatus obtains the information that can be transmitted by proxy, the read image and the other facsimile communication apparatus can be received via the network line different from the telephone line in a state where the reception of the facsimile communication unit is enabled. A network communication unit that issues an alternate transmission instruction in association with the destination information,
When the facsimile communication unit obtains information that cannot be transmitted on behalf of the other facsimile communication device, the facsimile communication unit transmits the read image to the destination information via the telephone line.

Images