JP2723307B2 - Image communication method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image communication method, and more particularly, to a method of transmitting broadcast image data and information about a relay destination from a relay requesting station to a relay station, and relaying from the relay station. The present invention relates to an image communication method for transmitting broadcast image data to a destination.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, a broadcast communication method of sequentially transmitting the same image information to a number of partner stations has been known. The broadcast stores the manuscript once in the memory when there are several partner stations that want to send the manuscript,
This is a function that automatically sends the information to a plurality of destinations in order.

Also, a relay system for transmitting image data to a certain station and transmitting the image data to another station is known, and a relay broadcast system combining this relay system and a broadcast system is also known.

When receiving an image, a receiver capable of relay broadcasting notifies the transmitter that it has a relay broadcast function by a signal (such as an NSF signal in G3 facsimile) indicating a non-standard device. Here, if the transmitter wants to broadcast the broadcast,
After confirming from the above signal that the other receiver has the relay broadcast function, a relay request is made to the receiver by a non-standard setting signal (NSS signal). Thereafter, the image data to be relayed is transmitted and received, and the receiver, that is, the relay station sequentially broadcasts the received information to the destination specified by the requesting station.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the relay station records and outputs all the received information, and sequentially broadcasts the same received relay image to the designated destination. Generally, the relay station also records and outputs all relay images, so that all the recorded and output images are broadcast.

Here, for example, it is assumed that a company A has a head office and a branch office in Tokyo and Osaka, and that there are eight agent offices in Tokyo and six office offices in Osaka. When transmitting information from a Tokyo head office to an Osaka branch and six Osaka agents, it is assumed that information of A to G is to be transmitted to the Osaka branch and information of C to G is to be transmitted to each agent.

In such a case, the head office in Tokyo requests the relay of the information of A and B to the Osaka branch, and then transmits the information of C to G to the Osaka branch by transmitting another relay request and relays the information to the six Osaka agents. There is a problem that the relay request has to be performed twice, such as instructing a broadcast, and the work is troublesome.

That is, in the conventional relay broadcasting, only one entire image can be relayed by one relay request.
Since it is not possible to transmit only a part of the relay broadcast image to a certain partner station (or to delete and transmit only a part of the relay broadcast image), the user of the relay request station repeats the troublesome transmission process at least twice. Unless such operations are performed, unnecessary images are relayed and broadcasted, which increases the time and cost burden on the relay station.

 An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a relay request station transmits broadcast image data and information on a relay broadcast destination to a relay station, and the relay station transmits the relay broadcast data. In the image communication method for transmitting broadcast image data first, the broadcast image data includes image data that the relay requesting station desires to perform relay broadcasting and image data that does not want to perform relay broadcasting to the relay station. The relay request station has a partial relay function that, based on a signal from the relay station, the relay station relays and broadcasts a part of broadcast image data in accordance with an instruction from the relay request station. If the relay station has the partial relay function, the relay request station specifies the partial relay function, the designation information, the broadcast image data, and the broadcast image. I want to broadcast in the data Page specification information that specifies the page,
And relay relay destination information relating to the relay broadcast destination is transmitted to the relay station, and the relay station receives the broadcast received from the relay requesting station according to the specification information, the page specification information, and the relay broadcast destination information. Executing a relay broadcast process of a designated page in the broadcast image data, and if the relay station does not have the partial relay function, the relay request station firstly executes The image data that does not want the relay broadcast is transmitted to the relay station, and thereafter, the designation information that specifies the relay broadcast, the image data that desires the relay broadcast among the broadcast image data,
And transmitting the relay broadcast destination information to the relay station.

[Operation] According to the above configuration, the relay request station relays part of the broadcast image data based on a signal from the relay station in accordance with an instruction from the relay request station. Identify whether it has a function.

If the relay station has the partial relay function, the relay request station specifies the partial relay function for the relay station, and designates the specified page in the broadcast image data to the specified relay broadcast destination. Broadcast to relay.

If the relay station does not have the partial relay function, the relay request station automatically transmits the image data of the broadcast image data that the user does not want to relay to the relay station. The relay station requests the relay station to relay the image data desired to be relayed among the broadcast image data.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The illustrated device functions as one of a relay station and a relay request station.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an NCU which uses a telephone network for data communication or the like and performs connection control of a telephone switching network, switching to a data communication path, or holding of a loop by connecting to a terminal of the line. .

The NCU 2 has a built-in CML relay, and the line connection is switched by this relay. If the signal level of the signal line 50a is "0", the NCU 2 connects the signal line 2a to the signal line 2b, that is, connects the telephone line to the telephone 4 for talking or manual line control (CML relay off). If the signal level is "1", the signal line 2a is connected to the signal line 2c, that is, the telephone line is connected to the facsimile machine (CML relay on). In a normal state, the signal line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a hybrid circuit that separates a transmission system signal and a reception system signal.
To the signal line 2a via the
The signal is output to the signal line 6a via the NCU 2.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a reading circuit composed of an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an optical system, and a document conveying system. A signal sequence to be represented is created and output to the signal line 8a.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an encoding circuit which inputs the read data output to the signal line 8 and encodes (MH encoding or MR encoding). The encoded data is output to the signal line 10a.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a modulator that performs modulation based on the known CCITT recommendation V27ter (differential phase modulation) or V29 (quadrature modulation). The modulator 12 receives the signal on the signal line 46b, and if the signal level is "0", receives the signal from the encoding circuit 10 (the signal on the signal line 10a) and the signal level on the signal line 46b is "1". ", A signal from the image memory circuit 22 is input.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a modulator for performing modulation based on the known CCITT recommendation V21, which inputs a procedure signal of a signal line 46c and outputs modulated data to a signal line 14a.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an adder circuit that inputs signals on the signal lines 12a and 14a and outputs a result of the addition to the signal line 16a.

Reference numeral 18 inputs a signal on the signal line 6a, and a known CCITT recommendation V
This is a demodulation circuit that performs demodulation based on 21. The demodulated procedure signal is output to signal line 18a.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a demodulation circuit that performs demodulation based on the known CCITT recommendation V27ter or V29 and outputs demodulated data to the signal line 20a.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an image memory circuit for storing received data when performing relay broadcasting. When the level of the memory control signal from the control circuit 46 is "0", the image memory circuit does not operate, and the level of the memory control signal is "1". In this case, the demodulated data from the demodulator 20 is stored in the corresponding memory space based on the address signal from the control circuit 46. When the level of the memory control signal is "3", the data stored in the corresponding memory space is supplied to the decoding circuit 24 or the modulator 12 based on the address signal from the control circuit 46.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a decoding circuit which inputs demodulated data from the demodulator 20 or the image memory circuit 22 and performs decoding (MH decoding or MR decoding), and outputs a signal of signal level "0" from the control circuit 46. V27ter or V2 when running
9 When the signal from the demodulator is output from the control circuit 46 at the signal level “1”, the image memory circuit 22
Input signal from.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a recording circuit for sequentially recording the decoded black and white signals output from the decoding circuit 24 line by line, and is constituted by various recording methods such as a thermal printer and a laser beam printer.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a calling circuit that inputs data output to the signal line 46f when a calling command pulse is generated on the signal line 46g, and sends a selection signal to the signal line 2b.

Reference numerals 30 to 40 (even numbers) are members for a user interface provided on the operation panel.

Reference numeral 30 is a relay button for selecting a relay broadcast, and selecting for relaying the specified page information,
When this button is pressed, a pulse is generated on the signal line 30a.

Reference numeral 32 denotes an LCD panel that inputs display information output to the signal line 46h and displays this information.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a numeric keypad for manually inputting a telephone number, and the pressed numeric keypad information is output to a signal line 34a.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a set key for determining key input information, and when pressed, generates a pulse on the signal line 36a.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a one-touch key composed of a plurality of keys and capable of registering the telephone number of the partner station for each key, and information on the pressed one-touch key is output to a signal line 38a.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a speed dial key capable of storing a specific operation method and the telephone number of the partner station in association with each other, and the pressed speed dial information is output to a signal line 40a.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a circuit for registering a relay destination when a relay broadcast is instructed when functioning as a relay station. Assume that there are 20 destinations to register. When registering a destination to be relayed and broadcasted, after outputting the destination number (01 to 20) and dial information to the signal line 42a, a write pulse is generated on the signal line 46i. When reading out the telephone number stored in the destination registration circuit 42, the destination number is output to the signal line 42a and then a read pulse is generated on the signal line 46j. Is output to the signal line 42a. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the broadcast destination is stored in advance in the destination registration circuit 42 of the device used as the relay station.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a storage circuit for storing page information of image data to be broadcasted in order to broadcast only a part of the image data when functioning as a relay station. This broadcast page is designated by the control circuit 46. For example, if the third to tenth pages are to be stored as broadcast pages, the control circuit
3 * 4 * 5 * 6 * 7 * 8 * 9 * 10 from 46 to signal line 44a
Or 3 # 10 (character * indicates a page break indicated by each number, and character # indicates a continuous page)
After outputting page information such as character code, signal line
Generates a write pulse at 46k.

When a read pulse is generated on the signal line 461 when reading stored page information, the storage circuit 44 outputs the stored page information to the signal line 44a.

Reference numeral 46 denotes a control circuit composed of a microprocessor or the like, which controls each of the above members according to a program stored in the ROM 46r.

The outline of the communication control performed by the control circuit 46 will be described below. Here, it is assumed that the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used as a relay request station and a relay station.

When the relay button is pressed at the relay request station, "relay broadcast instruction" is displayed on the display unit. Here, when the relay button 30 is pressed again, "Relay broadcast instruction (enter a page to broadcast)" is displayed on the display unit. When the operator on the relay broadcast instruction side inputs the number of pages and presses the set key, the apparatus sequentially stores the page information.

If you want to broadcast from a certain page a to a certain page b, enter the start page, press the set key, then press the "*" key, and enter the end page to set. Press the key. Thereafter, when the one-touch key, the abbreviated key, or the numeric key is pressed, a call is made to the other party.

Then, after confirming that the other party has the relay broadcast function according to the present invention by the pre-procedure, the number of pages is designated, and an instruction is made to perform the relay broadcast with the designated number of pages. To check the relay broadcast function of the partner station, for example, use NSF
(Non-standard device) Use a signal. The image receiving side (relay station in this case) composed of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 uses the FIF (facsimile information field) of the NSF signal to indicate the presence or absence of the relay broadcast function of the present invention. For example, by setting the 49th bit of the FIF of the NSF signal to “1”,
If "0", this function is notified to the image transmitting side (relay request station).

When an NSF signal whose 49th bit is “1” is received from the image receiving side, transmission is performed by the function of the present invention. in this case,
Prior to image transmission, set the 49th bit of FIF to "1".
An SS (non-standard device setting) signal is transmitted to instruct the receiving side serving as a relay station to transmit the signal by the function of the present invention. Further, the total number of pages of the image to be relayed and broadcast is set in the 57th to 64th bits of the FIF of the NSS signal, and thereafter, from the 65th bit onward, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 For example, the page number to be relayed is specified using a character code or a binary code.

Here, when relaying continuous page information, three data of a start page number, a null, and an end page number may be respectively set as byte information in the FIF of the NSS signal (null is usually a predetermined bit width ( 0 in this case (1 byte)
Which is used as a data separator, etc.). For example, when all eight pages of the third to tenth pages are to be broadcast, the 65th byte and thereafter may be set to 3, 0 (null), and 10 in byte units.

Also, in order to allow the relay station to recognize the page number, for example, “P1, P
2, P3, P4, P5 "is added to the page information that is not to be relayed, and" P1 (no broadcast), P2 (no broadcast) "is added. The information of these transmission sources is generated by a character generator or the like (not shown) and added to a predetermined position (for example, the right shoulder of the image) in the image data at the relay request station (or the relay station).

On the other hand, the relay station receiving the relay request, when instructed to perform the relay broadcast according to the present invention by the NSS signal, receives the FSS of the NSS signal.
The information from the 57th bit onward of the IF is stored in the storage circuit. Then, the information is recorded while receiving the memory using the image memory circuit 22, and then the broadcast information of the page information for performing the relay broadcast designated by the relay broadcast instruction side is transmitted to the relay station.
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the other party performing the relay broadcast is stored in the destination registration circuit 42 in advance at the relay station based on a key operation or the like as described above.

The above communication control will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (E). 2A to 2E are flowcharts showing the control procedure of the control circuit 46 in FIG. 1. The illustrated procedure is stored in the ROM 46r as a control program of the control circuit 46. Here, FIGS. 2A to 2C show the processing of the relay requesting station, and FIGS. 2D and 2E show the processing of the relay station. It is assumed that the flows with the same number in each figure are continuous at that position.

Steps S56 to S62 in FIG. 2A show the initialization process common to the relay requesting station and the relay station. First, in step S52, the current time is displayed on the LCD panel 32 via the signal line 46h.

In step S54, "0" is set in the LCD status (set at a predetermined address in a memory such as a RAM). This status indicates the relay request mode by the logical level "1", and indicates the relay request mode in which the broadcast of only a part of the image is requested by "2".

In step S56, the signal level "0" is applied to the signal line 46a.
Is output, the CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned off, and the line is connected to the telephone 4.

In step S58, a mode in which the image memory circuit 22 is not operated via the signal line 46d is set.

In step S60, the signal level "0" is applied to the signal line 46e.
Is output, and the decoding circuit 24 is set to a mode in which the signal from the demodulator 20 is input.

In step S62, the signal level "0" is applied to the signal line 46b.
, And the modulator 12 is set to the mode for inputting the signal from the encoding circuit 10.

In step S64, a signal on signal line 30a is input, and it is determined whether relay button 30 has been pressed. If the relay button 30 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S66, and if not, the process proceeds to step S124 of FIG. 2 (D). When the relay button 30 is pressed, the processing of the relay request station is started.

In step S66, the content of the LCD status is incremented by one.

In step S68, it is determined whether the LCD status is 1. If the LCD status is 1, proceed to step S70. If the LCD status is not 1, proceed to step S70.
Proceed to S72.

In step S70, "relay broadcast instruction" is displayed via signal line 46h.

In step S72, it is determined whether the LCD status is 2. If the LCD status is "2", the process proceeds to step S74. If not, the process proceeds to step S52.

In step S74, "Relay broadcast instruction (Please enter the page to broadcast)" is sent via signal line 46h.
Display is performed on the LCD panel 32.

In steps S76 to S78, when page information to be relayed and broadcasted is input, the page information is sequentially stored in the storage circuit 44 in the storage format described above. If there is no key operation for a predetermined time,
Proceed to step S52.

In step S80 of FIG. 2B, the state of the signal line 34a, the signal line 38a, or the signal line 40a is determined, that is,
Numeric keypad 34, set key 36 or speed dial key 40
It is determined whether or not a call operation to the relay station has been performed. When the call is selected, the dial information is output to the signal line 46f in step S82, and then a call command pulse is generated on the signal line 46g to call the designated destination. If no call is selected, the process proceeds to step S76.

In step S84, the signal level "1" is applied to the signal line 46a.
Is output, the CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned on, and the line is connected to the hybrid circuit 6.

Step S85 represents a known procedure before facsimile communication. Steps S86 and S94 particularly show the configuration related to the present invention in the pre-procedure.First, in step S86, the 49th bit of the FIF of the NSF signal is checked to determine whether the partner device has the function of the present invention. Judge whether or not. If it has the function of the present invention, it proceeds to step S88, and if not, it proceeds to step S94.

Step S88 represents the remaining pre-procedure. Here, page information for transmission by the function of the present invention and for relay broadcasting thereof is notified by an NSS signal.

Step S90 represents a post procedure. Here, a means for counting the page information to be relayed and a means for counting the page information not to be relayed are provided, and the image data to be relayed is referred to as "P1, P2,..." The source information is added to the page information that is not to be relayed in the order of "P1 (no broadcast), P2 (no broadcast) ...".

In step S92 of FIG. 2 (C), a known post-facsimile communication procedure is performed, and then the step of FIG. 2 (A) is performed.
Return to S52.

As described above, the relay image data is transmitted to the relay station having the function of the present invention.

On the other hand, if step S86 in FIG. 2B is denied, it is determined in step S94 whether or not the other party has a (normal) relay broadcast function. If it has the relay broadcast function, the process proceeds to step S102. The relay broadcast function of the partner station determined here relays and broadcasts all information transmitted as in the related art.

If step S94 is denied, all images to be relayed and broadcast are transmitted to the partner station by the pre-procedure (step S96), the normal communication (step S98), and the post-procedure (step S100), and the process proceeds to step S52. Return.

On the other hand, if step S94 is affirmed, that is, if the partner station has a normal relay broadcast function,
In steps S102 to S108 and steps S110 to S122 in FIG. 2 (C), calls are made twice, and in each call, an image not requiring relay broadcast and a relay broadcast are sent to the other station (relay station). Are separately transmitted. This is because even a partner station that does not have the function of the present invention can obtain the same result as the function of the present invention. However, in this case, since the call is made twice at the relay request station, the communication cost of the request station increases as compared with the case where both the relay request station and the relay station have the configuration of the present invention.

In steps S102 to S106, an image not requiring relay broadcasting is transmitted. First, in step S102, a procedure before facsimile communication is performed. Here, the relay broadcast instruction is not performed. In step S104, referring to the storage circuit 44, step S78
In step S016, a post-procedure is performed, and in step S108, the line connection is switched to the telephone 4 side to temporarily end the communication.

Subsequently, in steps S110 to S122, an image to be relayed and broadcast is transmitted. First, in step S110, a call is made again to the called party in step S82.

Next, in step S112, a signal of signal level “1” is output to the signal line 46a, and the CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned on.
The line is connected to the hybrid circuit 6, and the pre-procedure is performed in step S114.

In step S116, it is reconfirmed whether or not the other party has a relay broadcast function, just in case. Step S94
, It is considered to have a relay broadcast function, but it is also possible that the relay broadcast may not be possible due to a memory full condition or the like.
If the other machine does not have the relay broadcast function, step S9
Proceed to step 6 to transmit the image scheduled to be relayed. Step if the other party has a broadcast function
Proceed to S118.

Step S118 represents a pre-procedure. Here, an instruction for relay broadcasting is given. In step S120, the storage circuit
With reference to 44, the page information for which the relay broadcast instruction has been issued in step S78 is transmitted. In step S122, a known post-facsimile communication procedure is performed, and thereafter, the flow returns to step S52 in FIG. 2A.

The transmission process of the relay request station is performed as described above. On the other hand, in the relay station having the function of the present invention, the processing after FIG. 2 (D) is performed.

If step S64 in FIG. 2A is denied, the process proceeds to step S124 in FIG. 2D, and it is determined whether reception is selected. This determination is made by detecting a call signal or the like or detecting a reception start operation or the like.
When reception is selected, the process proceeds to step S128. If reception has not been selected, the flow advances to step S126 to perform other processing (such as image copying).

In step S128, a signal of signal level “1” is output to the signal line 46a, and the CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned on.
The line is connected to the hybrid circuit 6.

In step S130, a procedure before facsimile communication is performed.
At this point, the 49th bit of the FIF of the NSF signal is set to 1 to notify the partner device that it has the function of the present invention. This NS
The F signal is detected in the relay request station in step S86.

In step S132, the NSS signal is checked to determine whether the partner station (relay request station) has selected the transmission according to the present invention. If the transmission according to the present invention has been selected, the process proceeds to step S138. If not selected, step S1
After performing normal reception at 34, a post-procedure is performed at step S136, and the process returns to step S52.

In the relay process of the present invention, in step S138, the NSS
The page information for performing the relay broadcast specified by the signal is stored in the storage circuit 44.

In step S140, the image memory circuit 22 is set to the data reception mode via the signal line 46d,
In, the reception and recording operations and data storage in the image memory circuit 22 are performed (memory reception). Thereafter, a post-facsimile communication procedure is performed in step S144.

Further, in step S146, a signal of signal level “0” is output to signal line 46a to turn off the CML relay of NCU 2 and connect the line to telephone set 4.

In step S148 of FIG. 2E, the page information designated in step S138 is sequentially broadcast to the destination stored in the destination registration circuit 42. An example of the transmission process of one destination is shown in steps S148a to S148g.

That is, first, a call is made in step S148a, the CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned on in step S148b to connect the line to the hybrid circuit 6, and the modulator 12 is used to input a signal from the image memory circuit 22 in step S148c. Set to.

In step S148d, a state is set in which data is sequentially output from the image memory circuit 22 to the signal line 22a.
After transmitting the page information specified in step S138 with reference to the storage circuit 44 in step S148f, the NCU 2
Is turned off and the line is connected to the telephone 4. After the broadcast to all the destinations is completed, in step S148g, the modulator 12 is set to a mode for inputting a signal from the encoding circuit.

In step S150, a mode in which the image memory circuit 22 does not operate via the signal line 46d is set.

According to the above embodiment, when performing the relay broadcast, only a part of the image to be transmitted to the relay station can be relayed. When both the relay requesting station and the relay station have the function of the present invention, a line for transferring an image to the relay station is used to specify an image page to be relayed to the relay station by the NSS signal. Only one connection is required.

In addition, even if the relay station does not have the relay function of the present invention and is a device that relays and broadcasts images of all normal pages, the relay requesting station does not generate images to be relayed and broadcast twice. By transmitting the image, the same effect as above can be obtained as a whole except for the disadvantage of increasing the communication cost of the relay request station.

In the above embodiment, it has been considered that the destination of the relay broadcast is registered in advance in the relay station, that is, the apparatus that actually performs the relay broadcast. However, the relay instruction station may use a suitable procedure signal or the like to indicate the destination of the relay broadcast.

Further, in the above embodiment, the page information that is not to be relayed in step S142 may not be stored in the image memory.

Further, the information stored in the image memory circuit 22 after the end of the relay broadcast may be deleted immediately or may be deleted by an instruction of the operator.

In the above description, the relay request station is described as waiting for input of a page number to be broadcast by pressing the relay button 30 twice. However, a mode in which all images are broadcast to the relay station by an appropriate operation method as in the past. May be entered. In step S76, if there is no operation (input of a page to be relayed) for a predetermined time, the process returns to the standby state. Here, the storage circuit 44 relays all pages.
Is registered, and then the relay processing of the present invention (step S8)
0 to).

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, the relay request station has a partial relay function of relaying a part of broadcast image data based on a signal from the relay station. If the relay station has a partial relay function, the relay requesting station specifies the partial relay function for the relay station, and displays the specified page in the broadcast image data. If the relay station does not have the partial relay function, the relay request station automatically automatically relays the relay broadcast in the broadcast image data if the relay station does not have the partial relay function. Undesired image data is transmitted to the relay station, and after that, the relay station requests the relay station to relay the image data of the broadcast image data that the user wants to relay. The station operator will ask if the relay station has the partial relay function described above. It is sufficient to perform an operation to request a part of the broadcast image data to be relayed without confirmation, and even if the relay station does not have a partial relay function, there is no need to perform a troublesome operation. Only the necessary information can be easily relayed to the relay station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a facsimile apparatus employing the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (A) to (E) are flowcharts showing a communication control procedure by a control circuit of FIG. FIG. 2 ... NCU, 4 ... Phone 6 ... Hybrid circuit 8 ... Reading circuit, 10 ... Encoding circuit 12, 14 ... Modulator, 16 ... Addition circuit 18, 20 ... Demodulator, 22 ... Image memory circuit 24 ... Decoding circuit, 26 ... Recording circuit 28 ... Calling circuit, 30 ... Relay button 32 ... LCD panel, 34 ... Numeric keypad 36 ... Set key, 38 ... One touch key 40 ... Speed dial key 42 ... Destination registration circuit, 44 ... Memory circuit 46 ... Control circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image communication method for transmitting broadcast image data and information on a relay broadcast destination from a relay requesting station to a relay station and transmitting the broadcast image data from the relay station to the relay broadcast destination. The image data includes image data that the relay requesting station desires to perform relay broadcasting to the relay station and image data that does not want to perform the relay broadcasting.The relay requesting station is based on a signal from the relay station. ,
The relay station identifies whether or not the relay station has a partial relay function of relaying a part of the broadcast image data in response to an instruction from the relay request station, and the relay station has the partial relay function. If you have
The relay request station includes: specification information for specifying the partial relay function; the broadcast image data; page specification information for specifying a page in the broadcast image data for which a broadcast is desired; The relay station transmits the broadcast destination information to the relay station, and the relay station specifies the broadcast image data received from the relay request station according to the specification information, the page specification information, and the relay broadcast destination information. If the relay station does not have the partial relay function, the relay request station first desires the relay broadcast in the broadcast image data. Not transmitting the image data to the relay station, after that, the designation information to specify the relay broadcast, the image data of the broadcast image data of the desired relay broadcast,
And transmitting the relay broadcast destination information to the relay station.