JP2632682B2 - Route selection method for relay broadcast - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Table of Contents] Overview Industrial application field Conventional technology Problems to be solved by the invention Means for solving the problem Actions Embodiment I. Correspondence between embodiment and FIG. Relations II. Configuration of the embodiment III. Operation of the embodiment (i) Routing operation by telephone number (ii) Routing operation by grouping IV. Summary of embodiment V. Modification of invention Effect of the invention [Overview] Facsimile machine The method of selecting the route of relay broadcast when transmitting image information using the relay broadcast function in the etc. is intended to simplify the operation and reduce the time required for the operation. Relay information storage means for storing information relating to the route of the user, route determination means for determining a route at the time of communication based on the information stored in the relay information storage means, and relay broadcast according to the route determined by the route determination means. Through Configured to include a communication means for performing.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a route selection method of a relay broadcast, and for example, to a route selection method of a relay broadcast when transmitting image information using a relay broadcast function in a facsimile apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

According to the conventional facsimile machine,
Image information such as graphics and photographs can be transmitted to a distant place using a communication line. At present, image communication can be performed via a public telephone line, and such facsimile apparatuses are widely used in general office automation. Recently, facsimile machines with high speed transmission and simple operation have become widespread.

In such a widespread state, a facsimile apparatus having a "broadcast function" for transmitting the same transmission original to many destinations by one transmission operation has been generalized.

According to this function, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to transmit the same original from one transmission source (for example, a facsimile device at the Tokyo head office) to a plurality of transmission destinations (for example, a facsimile device at a branch office). it can.

With such a “broadcast function”, the same original can be easily transmitted to many destinations. However, branch 1 ~
Even when the branch 3 is located in Osaka and the branches 4 to 6 are located in Kawasaki, the lines are separately occupied and transmitted. Therefore, the total cost required for transmission between the individual headquarters and the branch increases.

In order to solve such a disadvantage, a facsimile apparatus having a "relay broadcast function" as shown in FIG. 6 has been put to practical use. This is because, as shown in the figure, when the same manuscript is broadcast to the branches 1 to 3 in Osaka and the branches 4 to 6 in Kawasaki, the facsimile apparatuses of the branch 1 and the branch 4 use the relay broadcasting function. Is transmitted to the branch 1 and the branch 4 respectively. Thereafter, utilizing the respective broadcast functions, the information is transmitted from the branch 1 in the same area (Osaka) to the branches 2 and 3 and transmitted from the branch 4 in the same area (Kawasaki) to the branches 5 and 6 respectively. I do.

Accordingly, the transmission from the branch 1 to the branch 2 and the branch 3 is within the same Osaka area, and the transmission from the branch 4 to the branch 5 and the branch 6 is within the same Kawasaki area. The cost required for transmission can be reduced as a whole.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional method, when transmitting image information using the relay broadcast function, the transmission source operator specifies the communication route while being aware of the relay station (branch 1, branch 4). Therefore, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated and the time required for the operation increases.

In particular, since the route specification is required, a user who does not know the relay broadcast function or a user who does not know which facsimile machine has the relay broadcast function has not benefited from the function. Recently, with the spread of facsimile machines, many people have been using facsimile machines, but users who understand only basic operation methods will not be able to use the relay broadcast function. You can't.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay broadcast route selection method which can simplify operation and reduce the time required for operation. And

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a registration unit for registering a plurality of relay stations having a function of receiving a final destination number and image information and transferring the image information to the final destination number, Selecting means for selecting a relay station corresponding to a group formed in advance when a destination number is input or a relay station installed in an area close to the final destination, and the selected relay station number Storage means for temporarily storing the final destination number and image information to be transmitted,
There is provided a transmission control means for transmitting a call to the relay station number and transmitting the final transmission formula number and the image information, and executes a relay transfer by inputting a final transmission destination number.

(Operation)

By adopting such a configuration, the transmitting terminal automatically selects the relay station from the input final destination number and executes the relay transfer. It is not necessary to perform the transfer every time, and the relay transfer can be executed by inputting the final destination number.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of an embodiment to which the route selection method of the relay broadcast according to the present invention is applied.

I. Correspondence Between Embodiment and FIG. 1 Here, the correspondence between the embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 1 will be described.

The relay information storage unit 111 corresponds to a memory 211 for route selection control (hereinafter, referred to as routing).

 The route determining unit 121 corresponds to the main control unit 221.

The communication unit 131 corresponds to the main control unit 221, the line control unit 231, the network control unit 233, and the modem 235.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below assuming that there is the above correspondence.

II. Configuration of Embodiment In FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 200 includes a main control section 221 for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus 200, a reading section 239 for reading image information of a transmission original, and an image information of a reception original. Recording unit 243 for printing the image data, and an image processing unit 237 for compressing the transmission data and restoring the reception data.
And a memory 210 for storing transmission / reception data and a destination telephone number, and a modem 235 for modulating and demodulating data.
And a network controller 233 for controlling an external line, a network controller 233 for transmitting and receiving an instruction signal and data, and a model 2
It has a line control unit 231 for controlling 35 and an operation panel 223 for the operator to input instructions and data.

Also, the memory 210 is provided for performing the relay broadcast.
A routing memory 211 for storing information for performing the communication routing, an image information memory 241 for storing image information of transmitted / received originals, and an operation panel 223 by an operator.
And a destination memory 261 for storing the destination data (telephone number of the destination or the abbreviated number corresponding to the telephone number) input from.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 200 has a communication result buffer 251 for storing a communication result between the relay facsimile apparatus and the final destination when performing the relay broadcast communication, and a telephone number of a communication destination at which the facsimile apparatus 200 makes a call. And a final transmission register 273 for storing the telephone number of the final destination at the time of relay broadcast communication.

Main control unit 221, line control unit 231, image processing unit 237, memory 21
0, the communication result buffer 251, the call register 271, and the final destination register 273 are connected by a bus.

Instructions and data from the operation panel 223 are input to the main control unit 221.

The transmission data read by the reading unit 239 is transmitted to the image processing unit 2
The image data is compressed by the image processing device 37 and stored in the image information memory 241.
The compressed data is read under the control of the main control unit 221 and output from the network control unit 233 to an external line via the line control unit 231 and the model 235.

The data received by the network control unit 233 via the external line is stored in the image information memory 241 via the model 235 and the line control unit 231. The data is read out under the control of the main control unit 221 and input to the image processing unit 237. The image processing unit 237 restores the data and outputs the data from the recording unit 243.

The line control unit 231 and the network control unit 233 are connected, and control signals are input and output mutually.

The facsimile machine 200 and the facsimile machine 290 are connected via an external line.

III. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-described relay broadcast communication path selection method in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 shows an operation procedure in the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the routing information stored in the routing memory 211. (A) shows routing information when performing routing based on the telephone number of the relay station, and (B) shows routing information when performing routing based on grouping performed in advance.

Now, it is assumed that the facsimile apparatus 200, which is the transmission source of the image information, makes a relay broadcast request to another facsimile apparatus. A routing operation based on a telephone number and a routing operation based on grouping performed in advance will be described. Hereinafter, FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 will be referred to.

(I) Routing operation by telephone number When the facsimile apparatus 200 is installed (or when a change is made to the relay station), the operator operates the operation panel 22 in advance.
Press the "Relay station registration" key in step 3, and then register the relay station telephone number. The main control unit 221 assigns a relay station number to the telephone number input from the operation panel 223 and sequentially stores the telephone number in the routing memory 211. FIG. 4A shows the relay station telephone numbers stored in the routing memory 211 and the relay station numbers corresponding to the telephone numbers.

When transmitting a certain document to a plurality of branches, first, the operator sets the document to be transmitted on the reading unit 239 (step 311).

Next, the operator sequentially inputs the telephone number of the transmission destination from the operation panel 223 (step 312). The main control unit 221
The telephone numbers are stored in the destination memory 261 in the order of input.

After inputting the telephone number of the transmission destination, the operator presses a “broadcast” key in the operation panel 223 (step 313).
The main control unit 221 sends an instruction to read image information to the reading unit 239 in response to the pressing of the “broadcast” key. The reading unit 239 reads the set document, reads image information, and inputs the image information to the image processing unit 237. The image processing unit 237
The input image information is compressed, and the compressed data is stored in the image information memory 241 (step 314).

Next, the main control unit 221 classifies transmission destinations within the same area in order to transmit image information using the relay broadcast function (step 315).

First, the main control unit 221 sequentially reads out the telephone numbers of the transmission destinations stored in the transmission destination memory 261 and reads the telephone numbers having the same area code or those having the same area code (for example, the higher area code). 3 digits are the same).
The result is stored in the destination memory 261.

Next, the main control unit 221 reads out the telephone numbers of the relay stations stored in the routing memory 211 in ascending order of the relay station numbers, and stores the telephone numbers of the groups stored in the destination memory 26 with the area code of each group. Make a comparison.

The above comparison is performed for all the relay stations, and if there is a matching area code, the relay station number of the relay station having the matching area code is set.If there is no matching area code, one is set. The relay station number of the relay station having the nearest area code is stored in the destination memory 261 in association with the group (telephone number group) stored in the destination memory 261. When there are two or more relay stations having the same area code, the relay station is prioritized when the destination input from the operation panel 223 includes the relay station, and in other cases, the relay station number is given. Shall be given priority.

Next, the main control unit 221 reads out the telephone number (s) of one group and the corresponding relay station number stored in the destination memory 261 and stores the destination telephone numbers of the group in the final destination register 273. (Step 316), and the telephone number of the relay station is stored in the call register 271 (step 317).

Next, the main control unit 221 sends an instruction for relay broadcast to the line control unit 231 to transmit image information (step 31).
8). The line controller 231 makes a call according to the telephone number of the relay station stored in the calling register 271 and connects the line, and then the telephone number of the final destination stored in the final destination register 273. Then, the image information stored in the image information memory 241 is transmitted to the facsimile machine 290 as the relay destination.

When transmission to one group (relay destination) ends,
Next, the main control unit 221 determines whether there is a transmission destination that has not been transmitted (step 319). If there is a destination for which transmission has not been completed, the main control unit 221 makes a negative determination, and repeats the processing from step 316 (setting of the final destination register 273) on for the other groups for which transmission has not been completed.

When image information transmission to all transmission destinations is completed, the main control unit 221 makes an affirmative determination in step 319, and then receives and prints communication results from each relay destination (step 320), and ends the processing. .

(Ii) Routing operation by grouping When abbreviated numbers of transmission destinations are registered, a group of transmission destinations and the presence or absence of a relay function of transmission destinations are input in consideration of relay broadcast transmission.

The operator presses the "abbreviated registration" key in the operation panel 223, and subsequently registers the telephone number of the transmission destination, the abbreviated number corresponding to the telephone number, the group number, and the presence or absence of the relay function. The main control unit 221 stores these pieces of information input from the operation panel 223 in the routing memory 211 in order.

FIG. 4 (b) shows information stored in the routing memory 211. In the figure, "abbreviated number" is a two-digit number corresponding to a telephone number, "group number" is a one-digit number assigned to each region, and "relay function" is a number indicating whether the facsimile apparatus has a relay function. Consists of A destination having a “relay function” of “1” indicates a facsimile apparatus having a relay function, and a destination having a “relay function” of “0” indicates a facsimile apparatus having no relay function.

When transmitting a document to a plurality of facsimile machines in a plurality of branches, first, the operator sets the transmission document on the reading unit 239 (step 311).

Next, the operator sequentially inputs the abbreviated number corresponding to the transmission destination from the operation panel 223 (step 312). The main control unit 221 sequentially stores the shortened numbers in the destination memory 261.

Thereafter, the operator presses the “broadcast” key in the same manner as “(i) Routing operation by telephone number” (step
313), the facsimile apparatus 200 reads and accumulates image information of the set document (step 314).

Next, the main control unit 221 classifies the transmission destination using the group number stored in the routing memory 211 in order to transmit the image information using the relay broadcast function (step 315).

First, the main control unit 221 sequentially reads out destination abbreviation numbers stored in the destination memory 261 and searches for a group number corresponding to the abbreviation number. The main control unit 221 performs the above-described search for all the short numbers stored in the destination memory 261 and stores the short numbers in the destination memory 261 for each group number (in ascending order of group number).

Next, the main control unit 221 reads out the destination abbreviated number (plurality) of one group classified in step 315,
The telephone number corresponding to the abbreviated number is stored in the routing memory 21.
Read from 1. The read telephone number is stored in the final destination register 273 (step 316).

Next, the main control unit 221 stores the telephone number of the transmission destination having the relay function among the transmission destinations read out in Step 316 in the calling register 271 (Step 317). Step 316
When all the transmission destinations of the group read in step 2 do not have the relay function, the main control unit 221 sets the routing memory 211
And stores in the call register 271 the telephone number of the transmission destination having the relay function in the group.

Thereafter, in the same manner as "(i) Routing operation by telephone number", the main control unit 221 sends an image information transmission instruction to the line control unit 231, and the line control unit 231 receives the instruction and performs image information transmission ( Step 318).

When transmission to one relay destination is completed, the main control unit 221
Determines whether there is a destination that has not been transmitted (step 319), and performs the processing from step 316 (set the final destination register 273) onward until image information transmission to all destinations (groups) is completed. repeat.

When image information transmission to all transmission destinations is completed, the communication results from each relay station are received and printed (step 320),
The process ends.

IV. Summary of Embodiments As described above, the routing information for determining the route of the relay broadcast is stored in the routing memory 211 in advance. At the time of image information transmission, the operator specifies a transmission destination from the operation panel 223, and the main control unit 221 performs routing based on the transmission destination input by the operator and the routing information stored in the routing memory 211. . Thereafter, the main control unit 221 performs the relay broadcast according to the routing.

Therefore, the operation of the operator when performing the relay broadcast communication is simplified, and the time required for the operation can be reduced.

In addition, since the user only needs to specify the transmission destination, even a user who does not know the relay broadcast function can use this function, and furthermore, does not need to be aware of the relay station every time communication is performed. Therefore, there is also an effect of reducing erroneous operations.

V. Modifications of the Invention In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the relay broadcast in the facsimile apparatus is considered, but the present invention is applied to the relay broadcast in other data terminal apparatuses. can do.

In the embodiment, the route is determined by software based on the transmission destination input at the time of transmitting the image information and the routing information stored in the routing memory 211. However, a dedicated routing circuit may be provided.

Further, in "I. Correspondence between the embodiment and FIG. 1",
Although the present invention has been described in association with the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications.

(Effect)

The present invention provides a registration unit for registering a plurality of relay stations having a function of receiving a final destination number and image information and transferring the image information to the final destination number. Selecting means for selecting a relay station corresponding to a group formed in advance or a relay station installed in an area close to the final destination; transmitting the selected relay station number, the final destination number, and transmission Storage means for temporarily storing image information to be transmitted, and transmission control means for calling the relay station number and transmitting the final destination number and the image information, and inputting the final destination number By doing
In this configuration, the transmitting terminal automatically selects a relay station from the input final destination number and executes the relay transfer by adopting such a configuration. The operator does not need to perform complicated relay function registration settings every time transmission is performed, and has the effect that the relay transfer can be executed by inputting the final destination number.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of a route selection method for relay broadcasting according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment to which the route selection method for relay broadcasting according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the example, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of routing information of the embodiment, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a broadcast function, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a relay broadcast function. In the figure, 111 is relay information storage means, 121 is route determination means, 131 is communication means, 200 and 290 are facsimile machines, 210 is a memory, 211 is a memory for routing, 221 is a main control unit, 223 is an operation panel, and 231 is a line. Control unit, 233 is a network control unit, 235 is a modem, 237 is an image processing unit, 239 is a reading unit, 241 is an image information memory, 243 is a recording unit, 251 is a communication result buffer, 261 is a destination memory, and 271 is a source The call register 273 is a final destination register.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Junichi Yamauchi 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Fujitsu Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-59-40757 (JP, A) JP-A-60-96945 (JP, A) JP-A-63-132559 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A registration unit for registering a plurality of relay stations having a function of receiving a final destination number and image information and transferring the image information to the final destination number; Selecting means for selecting a relay station corresponding to a group formed in advance or a relay station installed in an area close to the final destination, the selected relay station number and the final destination number Storage means for temporarily storing image information to be transmitted and transmission control means for transmitting a call to the relay station number and transmitting the final transmission formula number and the image information, respectively. The facsimile apparatus executes a relay transfer by inputting a.